Eric Gagne apologized for any distraction his inclusion in the Mitchell Report may have caused as he made his first public appearance at Milwaukee's spring training camp Monday.
The former Los Angeles Dodgers star and National League Cy Young Award winner issued a one-minute statement, declining to be interviewed about his reported use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Brewers officials are hoping that he can duck opposing hitters this summer like he ducked reporters' questions. That's because Gagne, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract just days before the controversial findings were released during a congressional hearing in December, is expected to be Milwaukee's closer after Francisco Cordero took the money and ran to Central Division rival Cincinnati.
General manager Doug Melvin and skipper Ned Yost need to see the Gagne who recorded a 2.16 earned-run average and 16 saves in 17 opportunities while at Texas rather than the guy who was raked for a 6.75 ERA in 20 appearances after a trade to Boston last year. Still, Gagne finished 4-2 and struck out 51 batters in 52 innings, not as dominating as his days in Dodger blue but numbers that Milwaukee can live with.
However, should Plan A crumble, the Brewers have several other options thanks to Melvin's astute off-season maneuvering. He signed free agent David Riske away from Kansas City and traded prospects to Pittsburgh for Salomon Torres. They and incumbent set-up man Derrick Turnbow all have closed before.
Riske inked a three-year deal after posting a 1-4 record and 2.45 ERA. He only saved four games in 65 appearances, so he appears to be more of a seventh-inning guy than closer, although he struck out 52 in 69.2 innings.
Torres struggled last year, finishing with a 2-4 mark and 5.47 ERA. Two stints on the disabled list limited him to 56 games after he had appeared in 84, 78 and 94 contests the three previous seasons. Torres still recorded 12 saves and struck out 45 in 52.2 innings.
Turnbow turned in an above-average 2007, tying for third with 33 holds in setting the table for Cordero, but several horrendous outings riled up fans and dented his confidence. The main culprit was his control, or lack thereof: He walked 46 in 68 innings, a major reason for an inflated 4.63 ERA. Lefties hit only .172 and righties just .189 against him, but the damage occurred when turnbow put too many runners on base.
Another big question, like with Milwaukee's starting rotation, is can it find enough quality left-handers to go with the predominantly right-handed arsenal.
Brian Shouse is back as the leading specialist, having finished 1-1 with a 3.02 ERA with 32 Ks in 47.2 innings. Lefties hit .214 against Shouse, who posted a 1.16 ERA at Miller Park.
Other candidates include righties Guillermo Mota, obtained from the Mets for Johnny Estrada, and Seth McClung and young lefty Mitch Stetter.
Long relief will no doubt depend on which candidates lose the battles for the Nos. 4 and 5 starting roles. And the injury factor always looms, as it has already with Yovanni Gallardo's knee surgery that probably means he'll start the season on the DL and open up a spot for someone who wouldn't have made the roster otherwise.
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