Gagne Has MRI as Elbow Stiffens

A precautionary MRI exam on Eric Gagne’s right elbow Wednesday revealed some swelling around the ulnar nerve but no structural damage, and the Dodgers closer said he hoped to return within a few days.

Gagne said he experienced some stiffness in the elbow while warming up in the bullpen Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium before retiring the New York Mets in order in the ninth inning to record his first save in nearly a year.

“The last four pitches I felt a little stiff in the bullpen,” said Gagne, who had a sensory nerve removed from the elbow in April. “Then I came in, it was better and it got a little worse. Every time I threw a changeup it pinched a little bit.... It didn’t really hurt pain-wise, it just got stiffer and stiffer.”

Gagne was administered anti-inflammatory medication and said the area already felt “a lot better” than it had Tuesday night.

Trainer Stan Johnston said Gagne would be re-evaluated today and could resume playing catch as soon as Friday.

Gagne said he felt no discomfort when he made his season debut June 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

He speculated that overthrowing might have caused the irritation or “maybe it’s because it’s been such a long time since I pitched, maybe I rolled my changeup more than I usually do. I don’t know exactly. All I know is that I pinched a nerve.

“For me, it’s frustrating. It’s nothing I wanted to go through, but when you’re not used to [throwing] for a year and you try to do a little too much ... you have to deal with it. I’m happy it’s not serious.”

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The Dodgers selected UCLA outfielder Chris Jensen in the 22nd round and Anaheim Servite High infielder Ryan Aguayo in the 46th round on the second day of the amateur draft.

The team also selected infielder Kurt Bradley, son of former Seattle Mariners outfielder Phil Bradley, in the 33rd round and left-handed pitcher Jake Debus, nephew of Dodgers minor league catching instructor Jon Debus, in the 39th round.

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Matt Kemp hit in the cleanup spot for the first time, but Manager Grady Little said he envisioned the rookie outfielder eventually settling into a role as “about as good a No. 3 hitter as you’ll ever see. I feel comfortable with that kid anywhere on that lineup card, to tell you the truth.” ... The Dodgers are targeting a Tuesday return for second baseman Jeff Kent, who has resumed swinging a bat without pain in his sprained left wrist and hopes to rejoin his teammates next week when they open a three-game series at San Diego.... Outfielder J.D. Drew did not start after experiencing some tightness in his right hamstring Tuesday night, but he pinch-hit in the eighth inning Wednesday, drew a walk and scored on Andre Ethier’s double.... Cesar Izturis, recovering from surgery on his right elbow, has four hits in his first 18 at-bats for a .222 average with triple-A Las Vegas. “It takes time,” Little said of the Dodgers infielder, who has no homers and one run batted in. “He’s like in the middle part of spring training now as far as seeing live pitching and game action. He’s just now gone to where he’s playing nine innings at a time.”