Relief Report

If you're a manager, there are two things you never want your closer to come into your office and say: "So, I've been watching a lot of tape of Mark Wohlers lately..." and "Don't use me today, I've got dead arm." The latter is exactly what Billy Wagner told manager Willie Randolph last Saturday and it appears he wasn't just looking for a day off. Although he came back to declare himself a-OK the next day, Wagner 's performance throughout August suggests the dead arm wasn't just a one-day occurrence.

Keeping in mind that Wagner failed to allow a single earned run in July (nine innings) and that he blew just one save in 25 opportunities through the same month, his 6.23 ERA, 2.23 WHIP and three blown saves in eight chances during August becomes even more troubling than it normally would. Quite obviously, there's something going on here.

Whether it is, in fact, a case of dead arm, a mental breakdown, or just a good old fashion slump, Wagner 's newfound lack of reliability has come at exactly the wrong time. With his team struggling to win a single game, let alone maintain a comfortable lead in the NL East , Willie Randolph might have to make a closer change before it's too late. So, the question becomes: who could jump into the closer's job while Wagner sorts himself out?

The top contender seems to be Aaron Heilman , who pitched a scoreless ninth inning and notched his first save of the season in the game Wagner sat out last Saturday. Granted, Heilman has since been credited with a blown save in a game against Philadelphia on Tuesday, giving him five blown saves this season. Another option could be lefty Pedro Feliciano, one of the club's most reliable relievers this season. Feliciano already has a save and 16 holds to his credit, to go along with his stellar 2.98 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.

Of course, the job is still Wagner 's to lose, but with the Mets ' division lead dwindling and times becoming all the more desperate, the 36-year-old closer might just have a few chances left to prove he can still get the job done.

While Mets fans wonder if Pedro Martinez can be converted to a closer in the next week or so, let's take a look at a few other bullpen situations around the league:

Blue Jays : His streak of 11 straight scoreless innings pitched came to an end on Tuesday, but that doesn't mean there's any reason to worry about Jeremy Accardo . Since replacing the injured B.J. Ryan as closer, Accardo has been one of the league's most automatic and consistent stoppers. Although Ryan should be ready for spring training next season, keeper leaguers may want to hang onto Accardo , who has simply been too good to lose his gig to a guy coming off Tommy John surgery.

Braves : Last week I raised concerns about Bob Wickman 's recent struggles -- concerns the Braves apparently share, as they stripped him of his closer title and have been shopping the 38-year-old around to clubs in need of bullpen help. The only problem is that no one's biting. It's been reported that the Indians and Diamondbacks have both passed on acquiring Wickman 's, which shows the lack of faith in him has spread beyond his own team. In Atlanta 's 7-4 win over Florida on Wednesday, Rafael Soriano pitched an 1 1/3 innings to earn his sixth save of the season and seal his fate as Wickman 's replacement. After weathering some midseason lumps, Soriano looks to be back to his dominant self with his current 6.1 scoreless innings pitched streak and 3.75 ERA for August.

Rockies : Despite correcting his delivery and subsequently regaining his form, Brian Fuentes will remain a setup man to current closer Manny Corpas for the foreseeable future. Corpas has pitched lights-out baseball since taking over the job when Fuentes hit the DL in July, converting all 11 of his save chances and compiling a 1.04 ERA since the All-Star break. With numbers like that, it's hard to believe Corpas is in the midst of his first full season and pitches his home games at Coors Field . Then again, it's even harder to believe the Colorado Rockies of all teams have two solid closers while the Mets have none at the moment. Oh, the sweet, sweet irony.