PHILADELPHIA -- The tale of the 2005 Phillies bullpen can be told like this: the more times fans hear Metallica's "Enter Sandman," the better.

The entrance song for Phillies closer Billy Wagner blared through the Citizens Bank Park loudspeakers a mere 24 times last season, far less than the Phillies faithful would have hoped -- and that has to increase.

The fireballing southpaw managed 21 saves in 2004, the third-fewest total of his career -- though he might argue that it was the worst. His lowest total came in 2000, when he blew out his elbow and pitched 27 2/3 innings, while the second-lowest came in 1996, before he became Houston's closer.

"[2004] was a very frustrating year on a lot of levels," Wagner said earlier in the offseason. "It wasn't the year I expected to have, and my absence really hurt the rest of the bullpen."

Groin and shoulder injuries were the culprits last year, as Wagner's body never seemed at full strength. It started with a mysterious middle finger injury in Spring Training that limited his early appearances. In early May, he missed five days with back spasms, then strained his left groin warming up for a save opportunity in San Francisco.

That cost him nearly a month. He returned June 9, but by July 22, he was out again with a left rotator cuff strain. He returned on Sept. 5, missing a good portion of a National League playoff race.

Wagner knows that he has to stay off the disabled list this season.

• Catchers: Lieby to return • Corner inf.: Models of consistency • Middle inf.: Utley takes over at 2nd • Outfielders: Lofton brings experience • Starting rotation: Lieber new ace • Bullpen: Wagner looking to rebound • Bench: Polanco keeps Phil's versatile

"This can't happen again," he said. "I'm no good to the team on the [DL]."

Tim Worrell notched 19 saves in Wagner's stead, but blew eight chances. While the veteran filled in admirably, his new role left a void in the setup area, where he made his greatest contribution. More pressure was placed on seventh-inning pitchers Rheal Cormier and rookie Ryan Madson.

The Phillies have essentially the same crew returning this season, starting with Wagner, Worrell, Cormier and Madson. Groundball specialist Terry Adams returns to Philadelphia and replaces Roberto Hernandez, and Amaury Telemaco is back as the long man. Should the Phillies go with 12 pitchers, Aaron Fultz appears to have the situational lefty job locked up.

"I have confidence in all those guys," said manager Charlie Manuel. "They all have experience and can pitch a lot. It's hard to find a better group than what we have."

Cormier's 2004 campaign couldn't match his brilliant career year of 2003, when he was as automatic as it got, but he got key outs when needed and appeared in a career-high 84 games. He toyed with retirement for the second straight offseason, then signed a contract that could potentially take him through his 40th birthday.

"We can get to the next level," Cormier said, excited about the team's prospects. "The team is going in the right direction. Last year we hit a downfall, but that's going to happen. I really think this team is meant to make the playoffs."

What more can be said about Madson, the lanky right-hander who contributed with an outstanding year? The rookie won nine games and logged 77 innings, compiling a 2.34 ERA. Not too shabby for a long shot to make the team out of Spring Training, and one who was a converted starter. However, he's not resting on his laurels.

"I'm going to do everything that I did last year and fight for a spot on the roster, not go into Spring Training thinking I have this team made," he said. "That's the way I prepare myself for the season. I'm always looking to impress, and I'll never be satisfied. I have the type of personality where I don't like to dwell on things -- good or bad."

"The expectations for Ryan couldn't be any higher this year," Phillies general manager Ed Wade said. "From the very beginning of last year, we thought Ryan could help our bullpen, but there was no way to project what he did. We'd like to clone him and send him to Triple-A and stretch him as a starter, if we could, to fill in with some spot duty. But we're very pleased with what Ryan did, and we're going to be more pleased with what Ryan will do for us in the future."