LosAngeles.Dodgers.MLB.com

By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com

Eric Gagne's MRI revealed no structural damage to his right shoulder. (Juan Ocampo/Dodgers)

The premier closer in baseball and last year's Cy Young winner received a cortisone injection in his shoulder and underwent an MRI after complaining of stiffness when he attempted to play catch during batting practice.

"It felt stiff and tired," said Gagne. "Dead-arm like. Maybe I slept on it wrong. It's wasn't comfortable playing catch."

Tracy said the MRI came back clean, there is no structural damage and doctors diagnosed "very mild tendinitis."

Gagne was asked if the thought of shoulder problems was scary.

"I've had tendinitis before, in my elbow," he said, referring to an injury that ultimately required Tommy John elbow reconstruction. "Never in my shoulder."

Eric Gagne  /   P
		Born: 01/07/76 Height: 6'2" Weight: 235 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

Nonetheless, needles don't plunge into Cy Young winner's shoulders without the pain being felt throughout the organization.

"I slept a little bit less last night," said Tracy. "I feel a lot better now."

Gagne has been unavailable since Monday, but Wednesday was the first day when shoulder stiffness was given as an explanation. His last appearance was Sunday in San Francisco, when he pitched two innings and saved a 7-4 victory.

While word of Gagne's shoulder emerged Wednesday, he hasn't been the same pitcher statistically since he made a three-inning appearance Aug. 1, two days after Guillermo Mota was traded to the Florida Marlins.

Through that game, Gagne had allowed 27 hits and 11 walks in 51 innings with a 1.41 ERA. Since then, he has allowed 24 hits and 10 walks in 30 1/3 innings with a 3.26 ERA. He also has had five appearances this month of 30 pitches or more, after having only three such appearances the previous five months of the season. He had only four the entire 2003 season. He has made 1,249 pitches this year, a five percent increase from last year's 1,189.

Gagne dismissed a question about his increased workload.

"I've had plenty of days off this year," he said.

Divvy up the pot: The Dodgers held a pregame meeting to vote shares for whatever postseason prize money comes their way. Teams that finish first or second in their division receive award money, which increases depending how far the club advances in the postseason.

Players on the active roster or disabled list the entire season automatically receive full shares (including Todd Hundley and Paul Shuey, injured all year), while full-share players vote on the amounts awarded to players with partial season service time, including players traded during the year like Steve Finley and Brad Penny.

A full share won by Penny and last year's World Series champion Marlins was worth $306,149. The Dodgers received $6,981 each last year for finishing second.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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