MORE BAD NEWS FOR GAGNE ALL-STAR PITCHER FACES MORE SURGERY ON HIS RIGHT ELBOW.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Grady Little urged reporters last week to keep expectations for closer Eric Gagne within reason this year. With Gagne on the comeback from last season's elbow surgery, Little said it was a stretch to think he could ever duplicate the 152 saves he notched between 2002-2004.

The question now is whether Gagne will even pitch this year. The 30-year old right-hander learned Thursday he has to undergo a second surgery on the right elbow, this one to remove the nerve that was repositioned in his 2005 surgery.

Gagne will have the operation performed today at the Kerwin-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles by Dr. Ralph Gambarella and Dr. Frank Jobe. As of late Thursday night, the Dodgers had no timetable for Gagne's return, and will wait until after today's surgery to make any determination on whether he'll be available to pitch this year or not.

"We're just going to wait and see how things go (today)" said team trainer Stan Johnson. "We'll know more after the surgery."

Gagne, who has not pitched in the first three games this year underwent an evaluation following Wednesday's game against Atlanta after complaining of persistent pain in the elbow. He felt similar discomfort through the spring, but that was attributed to scar tissue.

Gagne was informed after the physical the elbow required addition surgery.

"I'm disappointed because I thought this was all behind me," Gagne said in a statement.

One thing working in Gagne's favor is that unlike last year's extensive, 90-minute surgery in which surgeons had to cut deep into the area around the elbow, today's surgery will focus just under the skin.

To replace Gagne, the club will purchase the contract of right-hander Takashi Saito today.

Gagne joins an already crowded Dodgers' disabled list. Not even a week into the season, they've already sent Gagne, Nomar Garciaparra and Kenny Lofton to the D.L.

As bad as the new is, it would be worse had the Dodgers not traded for Tampa Bay closer Danys Baez over the winter. At the time of the trade, Baez was expected to be Gagne's primary set up man. Now he'll take over as the closer.

Baez saved a career-high 41 games in Tampa Bay last year.

Colletti said Thursday he didn't make the trade with an injured Gagne in mind, although he conceded he reviewed all possibilities when mulling the move.

"I made the trade to shore up the bullpen, but call it half intuitive or whatever, you definitely think of all the scenarios," Colletti said.

Especially when the closer he inherited pitched just 14 games last year and wasn't available over the second half of the season.Baez talked about the possibility of closing games last week when Gagne suffered an inner and outer ear infection before the Freeway Series against the Angels, and then earlier this week when Gagne served a two-game suspension that dated back to last season.

"Obviously we need (Gagne) to win, but I'm ready to go no matter when I have to pitch," Baez said.

Little said he will mix and match players in the set-up role for Baez for the time being.

Ironically, an MRI taken on Gagne's elbow Tuesday revealed no problems or setbacks from last year's surgery. In fact, Dodgers manager Grady Little hoped the results would provide the hard-throwing Gagne more confidence to let loose on the mound.

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

GAGNE