Former Cy Young Winner Gagne Released By Dodgers

By Justin Worsley

Reliever Eric Gagne signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last February, hoping to jump-start a career that has gone downhill ever since he left the Dodgers in 2006. The 2003 Cy Young winner, however, requested and was granted a release last Sunday after being informed he would be sent back to the Minor Leagues.

Gagne accepted a Minor League contract, hoping to improve his throwing following multiple shoulder injuries, which derailed his career and even sent him to play in an independent league last fall. The right-handed thrower was invited to Spring Training where he was far from impressive, allowing six runs off of eight hits and posting an astronomical 20.25 ERA in three games.

Gagne set a MLB record by converting 84 consecutive saves between 2003-2004 including 55 in 2003. In 2005, however, he underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career and never returned to his All-Star form. The following season, Gagne suffered from herniated discs in his back, resulting in Los Angeles to decline extending his contract.

In Dec. 2007, only three days after signing a deal with Milwaukee, he showed up in the Mitchell Report, linking him to using HGH during his professional career.

Gagne, 34, was moved in the Dodgers bullpen in 2002 after the retirement of Jeff Shaw.