NBA | Eric Gagne wants to close again for Milwaukee

Two days after pronouncing himself unfit to close games for Milwaukee, Eric Gagne says he's ready for another shot at a save.

He's just not sure when his next chance will come.

"I want to go out there as soon as I can," Gagne said before Monday's game against St. Louis. "That's the way I am. That's what I know. I know how to close. That's the only thing I know how to do."

Brewers manager Ned Yost hasn't committed to a specific role for Gagne, tied with Cardinals reliever Jason Isringhausen with a major-league-worst five blown saves this season.

After another rough outing led to a Brewers loss Saturday, Gagne all but demoted himself by saying he didn't deserve to pitch the ninth inning. But from his seat on the bullpen bench Sunday, he immediately had second thoughts.

"I wanted to go out there yesterday in a save situation — that's how bad it is," Gagne said.

But Yost hasn't told Gagne when that might happen.

"It's more of a feel issue," Gagne said. "Whenever I'm ready, whenever he's ready."

Gagne said he has spoken with Isringhausen — who, oddly enough, asked out of the closer's role with the Cardinals after getting roughed up by the Brewers on Friday.

"You don't laugh, you just kind of try to not think about it so much, not be so negative about it," Gagne said.

Atlanta: RHP John Smoltz is throwing again and hopes his injured rotator cuff heals enough to let him move into the bullpen later this month.

Cincinnati: Slumping OF Adam Dunn was dropped to seventh in the order for the first time since July 8, 2005. He went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly.

Florida: OF Josh Willingham hit soft-toss pitches. Willingham, sidelined by a sore back, is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list during the series in Cincinnati, but his return is uncertain.

Los Angeles: SS Rafael Furcal will be placed on the 15-day DL today because of a lower back strain that has caused him to miss Los Angeles' last five games. A team spokesman said Furcal would go on the DL retroactive to May 6, making him eligible to return May 21.

New York: RHP Pedro Martinez plans to throw a simulated game against minor-leaguers Wednesday, another step toward returning to the rotation from a hamstring injury.

Pittsburgh: RHP John Van Benschoten was optioned to AAA Indianapolis after losing twice in four outings while giving up eight earned runs in 7-2/3 innings.

St. Louis: C Yadier Molina and manager Tony La Russa were ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the fifth inning. Molina protested his ejection by taking off his gear and leaving it in a pile at plate umpire Paul Schrieber's feet. "That was awesome," starter Adam Wainwright said. "If you're going to get tossed, you might as well make it a good one."

San Diego: INF Edgar Gonzalez joined his younger brother, Adrian, on the roster when the Padres purchased his contract from AAA Portland — and singled in the seventh inning for his first major-league hit.

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