Braves' Wagner to retire at end of season

ATLANTA - Billy Wagner has given the Atlanta Braves early notice he plans to retire after the season to spend more time with his family.

Wagner 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 and I'm going to go that way."

Wagner used an off day yesterday for a quick trip to his home in Crozet, Va., near Charlottesville. The Braves open a series at Washington tonight.

Braves general manger Frank Wren said Wagner's decision is not a complete surprise.

"We knew this was a possibility from the beginning," Wren said yesterday. "We respect Billy's desire to be with his family and we are glad he is with us this year."

The 2011 option for Wagner kicks in if he finishes 50 games this season. He is 1-0 with two saves and a 2.00 ERA in his first season as the Atlanta Braves' closer.

Wagner has proved he has made a full recovery from his elbow surgery. The lefthander's fastball still hits the upper 90s on the radar gun.

He is sixth all-time with 387 career saves, including the two this season.

Wagner is chasing John Franco's record of 424 saves by a lefthander. In spring training, Wagner said he was motivated by the record, but now he says he'll retire even if he falls short of that mark this season.

Wagner made his debut with Houston in 1995 and remained with the Astros through the 2003 season, when he set a career high with 44 saves. He was the Phillies' closer for 2 years before 4 years with the Mets. He had elbow surgery in September 2008, and returned with the Mets last season before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox.

He has a 2.38 ERA in 791 career games.