Brewers activate RP Gagne

(courtesy JSOnline.com)

The Brewers have activated RP Eric Gagne from the 15-day DL, and RP Mark DiFelice was sent to Class AAA Nashville to make room on the roster.

Gagné was evaluated after he threw Saturday and again Sunday to see if there were any unexpected complications or pain. He was fine, as he said he had been after two rehabilitation assignments last week with Nashville. As expected, he was activated for the series opener today against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“It’s just good to get back on the mound,” Gagné said. “I’m ready to rock and roll.”

Gagné’s role in the bullpen could be determined by matchups, but what is certain is that he will no longer be the closer. Salomon Torres won that job in Gagné’s absence.

As the closer to begin the season, Gagné struggled. He blew five saves, converted 10 and went on the DL with a 1-2 record and 6.98 earned run average. He has not thrown a scoreless inning in his last 13.

In a non-closing role last season in Boston, Gagné struggled and went 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA, and he was scored on in five of his first seven outings and in 11 of his last 13 in the regular season with the Red Sox. He wasn’t any better in the role during the playoffs, giving up three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

But that wasn’t a major concern for the Brewers when they signed Gagné in the off-season. Manager Ned Yost said his struggles stemmed from his unfamiliar role in Boston, setting up closer Jonathan Papelbon, and that they wouldn’t be a concern in Milwaukee because Gagné would be closing.

So what will be different this year, when Gagné might be used in any inning from the fifth to the eighth?

“Because he’s got more experience with it now,” Yost said. “He’s went through it before. He understands the ramifications of it. He’ll be in good shape.”

In DiFelice’s first call-up to the big leagues, he pitched 13 2/3 innings and allowed 13 hits and six runs (3.95 ERA). The team wants him to work on his changeup and breaking ball to left-handed hitters, and they’ll allow him to start in Nashville.

For DiFelice, it was more of a numbers issue than one of poor performance.
“I obviously knew Gagné had to come off and there had to be a roster move somewhere,” DiFelice said. “It was the logical decision."

My Take

I just hope Gagne will shake out the cobwebs, and actually perform well for us. I certainly hope we didn't completely waste $10,000,000. I'd hate to see our worst nightmare reappear right before our eyes, when we're in the race for a playoff spot.