Gagne heading to Las Vegas

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Gagne heading to Las Vegas
05/11/2006 3:43 PM ET
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com

LOS ANGELES -- The tentative start date for Eric Gagne's injury rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas is May 25, but he's already absolutely, positively sure that his elbow is fixed.
After throwing off a mound on Wednesday for the first time since April 7 surgery to remove a nerve in his elbow, Gagne felt well enough to toss again in the outfield before Thursday's game.
"It feels really good. Nothing wrong at all," he said. "It feels better than it has in a year and a half."
If that means that last year's surgery to relocate the nerve was a waste of time, Gagne won't say.
"But I can't even compare this to last year," said Gagne. "I'm bouncing back every time with no stiffness, nothing. I'm more optimistic than I've been in a couple of years. Pitching is fun again. I can look at the ball and not be scared. It's enjoyable to throw when nothing is wrong."
Gagne will remain with the Major League club as he builds arm strength in advance of game action. As manager Grady Little indicated, the team can't wait for Gagne's return to a bullpen that turned a 9-0 lead into an adventure Wednesday night. The bullpen is 5-11 with a 4.81 ERA, featuring nine saves by Danys Baez and six blown saves.
"What Gagne will do is give us the ability to push back some people in the bullpen," said Little. "It's a sight we're all looking forward to seeing."
The absence of Gagne and Yhency Brazoban (Tommy John elbow surgery) has forced Little to ask more of inexperienced relievers than their resumes justify. Their inconsistency has prevented Little from sticking to defined roles.
"Right now, we're doing what we can do to make it interesting," he said sarcastically. "It's not a comfortable feeling. It's an area we need to address. We're looking for consistency, for people to get outs, and we're struggling to get it done. If they're not able to, their struggles suggest they don't pay the rent too far in advance."
Next on the promotion list figures to be Giovanni Carrara, whose first appearance back in the organization Tuesday was 2 2/3 scoreless innings at Las Vegas. The club currently is carrying 12 pitchers with Odalis Perez in the bullpen, although that is not expected to last long.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.