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Tough luck for the Dodgers to begin the season. Numerous injuries.
Pubs:money8:
Tough luck for the Dodgers to begin the season. Numerous injuries.
Pubs:money8:
By Steve Henson, Times Staff Writer
5:41 PM PDT, April 6, 2006
Dodger closer Eric Gagne will have surgery on his troublesome right elbow Friday to remove a nerve that he said has been causing him pain, a Dodger official said today. Gagne will be placed on the disabled list, and the Dodgers did not immediately provide a timetable for his return.
Gagne's 2005 season ended abruptly in June when he had elbow surgery. Originally, he was going to have the ulnar collateral ligament replaced in a procedure commonly known as Tommy John surgery, but doctors determined that the drastic measure was not necessary and merely repaired the ligament. Gagne did have Tommy John surgery in 1999.
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The Dodgers are in Philadelphia and will begin a three-game series Friday. Gagne remained in Los Angeles to have the surgery, which will be performed by Dr. Frank Jobe and Dr. Frank Gambardella.
Gagne was positive about his recovery from last season's surgery throughout the off-season and during spring training. He occasionally complained of pain, but attributed it to scar tissue.
He released the following statement today: "I'm very disappointed because I thought this would be behind us. It was a decision where I want to be 100% and be myself and enjoy it because I can't pitch with that kind of pain."
Gagne, 29, made 10 appearances in the spring, pitching one inning each time. Although he struck out 12, he allowed five runs and did not display the dominant fastball that helped him notch 152 saves from 2002 to 2004.
His place on the roster will be taken by Takashi Saito, a 14-year veteran of the Japanese League whom the Dodgers signed to a minor league contract during the off-season.
Closing duties will go to Danys Baez, who earned a save in the Dodgers only victory this season and had 41 saves last year for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Baez, 28, was acquired in an off-season trade.
Gagne did not pitch in the Dodgers' opening series against the Atlanta Braves. He served a two-game suspension Tuesday and Wednesday stemming from a dispute with an umpire last season.
5:41 PM PDT, April 6, 2006
Dodger closer Eric Gagne will have surgery on his troublesome right elbow Friday to remove a nerve that he said has been causing him pain, a Dodger official said today. Gagne will be placed on the disabled list, and the Dodgers did not immediately provide a timetable for his return.
Gagne's 2005 season ended abruptly in June when he had elbow surgery. Originally, he was going to have the ulnar collateral ligament replaced in a procedure commonly known as Tommy John surgery, but doctors determined that the drastic measure was not necessary and merely repaired the ligament. Gagne did have Tommy John surgery in 1999.
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The Dodgers are in Philadelphia and will begin a three-game series Friday. Gagne remained in Los Angeles to have the surgery, which will be performed by Dr. Frank Jobe and Dr. Frank Gambardella.
Gagne was positive about his recovery from last season's surgery throughout the off-season and during spring training. He occasionally complained of pain, but attributed it to scar tissue.
He released the following statement today: "I'm very disappointed because I thought this would be behind us. It was a decision where I want to be 100% and be myself and enjoy it because I can't pitch with that kind of pain."
Gagne, 29, made 10 appearances in the spring, pitching one inning each time. Although he struck out 12, he allowed five runs and did not display the dominant fastball that helped him notch 152 saves from 2002 to 2004.
His place on the roster will be taken by Takashi Saito, a 14-year veteran of the Japanese League whom the Dodgers signed to a minor league contract during the off-season.
Closing duties will go to Danys Baez, who earned a save in the Dodgers only victory this season and had 41 saves last year for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Baez, 28, was acquired in an off-season trade.
Gagne did not pitch in the Dodgers' opening series against the Atlanta Braves. He served a two-game suspension Tuesday and Wednesday stemming from a dispute with an umpire last season.
