Gagne wants to be a closer again

May 13, 2008 - 4:49 AM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Eric Gagne wants to be the Milwaukee Brewers' closer again. Manager Ned Yost isn't ready to open that door just yet.

One day after Yost said that the former All-Star pitcher needed a "mental break" and would be temporarily removed from the closer's role, the manager rebuffed Gagne's offer to return and reiterated his stance on Monday.

"It's not ideal," Yost said prior to the Brewers' 8-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. "I don't want to do this for a whole long time. I believe in set roles in a bullpen, but sometimes to get some guys over the hump, to get guys to where they need to be, you need to do this."

The move was necessitated after Gagne called his latest performance embarrassing.

The righthander allowed two runs and three hits in an inning Saturday to suffer a loss against the St. Louis Cardinals.

On Monday, Gagne's tune changed.

"Whenever he's ready," the Canadian hurler said, "I'm ready."

Gagne, who signed a one-year, $10 million free agent contract prior to the season, is 1-2 with a 6.89 ERA in 17 appearances for Milwaukee. He is tied for the National League lead with five blown saves in 14 opportunities.