After three spring training appearances and a 20.25 ERA, Eric Gagne will have to continue his attempt at a career resurrection in the minors. It was announced Monday that he will be reassigned to the team's minor league camp. Gagne, 34, hasn't played in the majors since the 2008 NLDS when he was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. From 2002-04, for the Dodgers, Gagne was easily the most dominant relief pitcher in baseball. He won a Cy Young Award and racked up 152 saves and a 1.79 ERA during that time. He struck out 356 hitters in 247 innings. It was actually one of the most dominant stretches by a relief pitcher in baseball history (especially his 2003 campaign with a 1.20 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 15 K/9 and 55 saves).
Since then, however, Gagne has suffered a myriad of arm injuries. He's also been linked with PED use, so it may not be a coincidence he fell apart after 2004. He did have a good half-season stretch as the Rangers' closer in 2007, but he was traded to the Red Sox and promptly went into the tank (6.75 ERA in 20 appearances). He then signed with the Brewers and lost his job as a closer to Salomon Torres.
If Gagne does make it back to the majors, it would be pretty surprising. There just doesn't seem to be any juice left in that right arm.




