Brewers' Gagne has shoulder stiffness

May 21, 2008 - 7:40 PM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Eric Gagne's first appearance in a week ended poorly, and now the Milwaukee Brewers may have a reason to be concerned about his health.

Gagne entered Tuesday's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth inning with a 7-0 lead but could not finish the game. He allowed two runs and two hits while returning only two batters and left complaining of tightness in his shoulder.

"It wasn't really pain, it was just stiffness," Gagne said. "It feels like I slept on it or something. It just wouldn't get warm."

On May 11, Brewers manager Ned Yost temporarily removed Gagne from the closer's role to give the former All-Star a "mental break."

Two days later, Gagne tossed a scoreless inning to recorded his 10th save of the season in the Brewers' 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Overall, however, Gagne has struggled after signing a one-year, $10 million free agent contract prior to the season.

He is 1-2 with a 6.98 ERA in 20 appearances for Milwaukee and has blown five saves in 15 opportunities.