ATLANTA — Billy Wagner has given the Braves early notice he plans to retire after the season to spend more time with his family.
The closer said he is making his plans known early this season so the Braves can have time to prepare for 2011.
Wagner, 38, plans to retire even though he has a $6.5 million option to play in 2011. He said the extra time he spent with his wife and four children while recovering from elbow ligament-replacement surgery in 2008 made it more difficult to be away from his Virginia home.
“I think when I was home with the kids I just enjoyed it, probably too much,” Wagner said. “It’s where I want to be, and I think it’s something else the Lord has got for me to do.”
Wagner, whose fastball still hits the upper 90s on the radar gun, is sixth with 387 career saves.
Posada leaves game
NEW YORK — Yankees catcher Jorge Posada left New York’s game against the Orioles with tightness in his right calf. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI.
Madson needs toe surgery
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies reliever Ryan Madson will have surgery today on the broken right toe he injured when he kicked a chair after blowing a save.
Trainer Scott Sheridan said there will be a better timetable for Madson’s return after the surgery.
Footnotes.
Reds outfielder Chris Dickerson will be out four to six weeks after surgery on his right hand and wrist.
• Royals manager Trey Hillman said Alex Gordon will shift from third base to left field in the minors.
• Dave Roberts, whose stolen base for Boston in the 2004 playoffs sparked the Red Sox to an elusive World Series championship, is being treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The prognosis is “good,” he said.
The Associated Press
