According to the New York Post's Mark Hale, the Phillies reached out to Billy Wagner earlier this winter.

Wagner, who retired after the 2010 season, denied the Phils quickly. "It was after the regular season ... just to see if I was even contemplating coming back or had an itch or anything," Wagner said. "I just told them, `No, I do not have an itch.'" Philly went on to sign Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year, $50 million free agent contract.

The Braves have officially removed Billy Wagner from the 40-man roster.

It's finally done. The team has reached a deal with the players' union so that if Wagner comes out of retirement in 2011, it can only be with the Braves. However, Braves general manager Frank Wren reiterated Wednesday that Wagner has no current plans to come out of retirement.

Billy Wagner reiterated Saturday his plan to retire.

Wagner has caused some wonderment and confusion because he's still yet to file the necessary retirement papers, but he has no intention of playing baseball anymore. "I'm totally content with not playing baseball," Wagner said. "I love watching it, I love talking about it. If I miss anything, it would be some of the guys I played with and actually competing on the field, but other than that, you can keep it."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's David O'Brien reports that Billy Wagner is still planning on retiring despite not having filed the necessary papers.

There's really no reason why Wagner shouldn't have filed the papers by now if he's 100 percent committed to retiring, but there have been no indications that he's thinking of changing his mind. It appears his retirement is still just a formality, but until it's official, we're left to wonder.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that Billy Wagner still hasn't filed retirement papers with MLB.

Rosenthal reported a couple weeks back that Frank Wren was told by Wagner's agent that he did submit retirement papers, but he apparently hasn't gotten around to it quite yet. Wagner is still on the Braves' 40-man roster, which leaves the door open for a potential return, but sources tell Rosenthal that the veteran left-hander intends to retire. We're just curious what's taking so darn long.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that Billy Wagner has officially filed his retirement papers.

Wagner has suspiciously remained on the Braves' 40-man roster this offseason, but he's not coming back for another season. Interestingly, according to Rosenthal, the Braves did not push Wagner to file his retirement papers, which is perhaps an indication that they hoped he would change his mind. However, Wagner's agent Bean Stringellow told Braves general manager Frank Wren about a week ago that the left-hander finally had filed his retirement papers.

Braves GM Frank Wren said Billy Wagner is still on the team's 40-man roster only as a procedural matter.

Wagner still has no intention of pitching again but has simply just not filed his retirement papers yet. "The player has to retire; the team can't retire him," Wren said. "I talked to his agent a few weeks ago. They just haven't got around to filing the papers. And I told him, it's just not an issue for the roster spot today. He said, we'll get to it. They just haven't done it yet. But it's not a problem."

Billy Wagner confirmed his retirement from baseball Monday.

The veteran closer was knocked out of the NLDS prematurely because of a left oblique injury. Wagner turned in a stellar 1.43 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 104/22 K/BB ratio over 69 1/3 innings during the regular season, converting 37-of-44 save opportunities. He could be dominant for another few years, but the 39-year-old is tired and ready to focus on family life. Craig Kimbrel is expected to open the 2011 season as the Braves' primary closer.

Braves placed LHP Billy Wagner on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique injury.

Major League Baseball approved Atlanta's petition to remove Wagner from their roster following his injury sustained while fielding a bunt attempt by Edgar Renteria on Friday. Wagner tried to throw on Sunday and couldn't do so without significant pain. The roster move renders Wagner inactive for the NLCS and could very well end his career, as the veteran left-hander will retire after the season. If Atlanta advanced to the World Series, Wagner would be eligible to return. Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters and Takashi Saito are in line for save opportunities.

Billy Wagner (oblique) was removed from the Braves' playoff roster.

The move makes Wagner inactive for the NLCS and could very well end his career, as the veteran left-hander will retire after the season. Takashi Saito will be added to the roster in his place. Wagner tried to throw on Sunday and couldn't do so without significant pain. "It was so bad today that there was no way possible he'd be ready for the next round," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. This is obviously a huge blow to a hobbled Braves team. Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters, and Saito are in line for the save opportunities.

Despite numerous reports that Billy Wagner will be replaced on the Braves NLDS roster manager Bobby Cox said that Wagner will be reevaluated tomorrow before making a final decision.

Cox is considering finishing the NLDS a man down as Wagner heals up. The only reason Cox is considering this is to avoid losing Wagner for the a potential NLCS. If he decides to replace Wagner now, he will be unable to pitch in the NLCS.

Billy Wagner, who left in the 10th inning of last night's Game 2 due to a strained left oblique muscle, will be out for the rest of the NLDS as well as the entire NLCS.

This is a huge blow to an already crippled Braves team. Wagner will be replaced by either reliever Takashi Saito or starter Jair Jurrjens, making him ineligible for the NLCS. If the Braves are to battle their way to the World Series Wagner hopes to be back, but in the mean time Kimbrel, Venters, and Saito are in line for the save opportunities.

Billy Wagner left Game 2 of the NLDS against the Giants in the 10th inning with an apparent oblique injury.

One can't help but wonder if this was the last time we'll see him on the mound. Wagner appeared to grab at his left side on a bunt attempt by Edgar Renteria to lead off the inning, though he didn't leave the game until fielding a sacrifice by Andres Torres. He was replaced in the game by Kyle Farnsworth. We'll pass along on update on Wagner's status when it is made available by the team.

Billy Wagner told David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Saturday that he has committed to retiring after this season.

Wagner has a $6.5 million option for 2011 and has been brilliant in the ninth inning for Atlanta this season, but he's done. "Me and my family have made plans for retirement," he said Saturday. "I don't need it anymore. I'm tired of the expectations, tired of the criticism, tired of people who never played trying to tell me how to play." Craig Kimbrel is likely to open next season as the Braves' closer.

Billy Wagner blew his fifth save by giving up two runs -- one earned -- in a 7-6 loss to the Marlins on Friday night.

This, after Jose Veras -- in for Leo Nunez, who was unavailable -- blew a save for the Marlins by giving up two runs in top of the ninth. Wagner gave up two hits and walker two, however the blown save wasn't all his fault, as a passed ball by Brian McCann allowed the tying run to score. Donnie Murphy, who already played hero earlier this week with a walkoff two-run homer on Monday, then stroked a walkoff single to center field to end it. Wagner has now blown consecutive save opportunities and three this month. He had two blown saves coming into July.

Billy Wagner was named the All-Star replacement for the injured Jason Heyward but has declined so that he can rest his left ankle.

Wags has dealt with soreness in the ankle during the first half and required a cortisone shot at one point. You can't blame a guy for wanting to get as healthy as possible for a second half playoff run.

Billy Wagner pitched a perfect 9th Wednesday en route to his 19th save.

Billy the Kid got Jimmy Rollins to fly out before Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez struck out. Wagner has converted 19 of his 22 save chances on the year and holds a 1.27 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 14.0 K/9 rate. Are you sure you want to retire, Billy?

Billy Wagner returned to action on Wednesday June 30.

Billy Wagner said the condition of his left ankle has improved since receiving a cortisone shot Saturday.

"They doctored my shoes to relieve some of the pressure," said Wagner. "I may look goofy running out there. Or I might just look the same." The 38-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched since recording his 400th save on Friday night, but could be available early this week.

Billy Wagner was given a cortisone shot in his left ankle on Saturday.

Wagner has been dealing with discomfort in his ankle for the past week and was unavailable for Saturday's game against the Tigers, leaving Peter Moylan to secure his first save of the year. Still, Wagner is confident that he'll be able to pitch on Sunday if the Braves have a lead. "I'll be fine for tomorrow," Wagner said. "It just depends on how I respond when I get here."