Rangers put Gagne on the disabled list

The Texas Rangers put closer Eric Gagne on the 15-day disabled list Monday, a day after the oft-injured right-hander left the game in the middle of only his second save situation for his new team.

Gagne, the 2003 National League Cy Young Award winner for the Dodgers, was appearing in consecutive games for the Rangers for the first time Sunday when he started favoring his right leg after his 11th pitch. He was diagnosed with a hip injury.

Gagne said he could have been back on the mound within a week, but he was put on the DL because the Rangers’ bullpen needs to be at full strength.

“I think in four or five days, I’d be fine,” Gagne said before Monday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners. “But in the American League, you need a full bullpen, so we’re not in a situation where we can do that.”

Gagne had one save in 3 1/3 scoreless innings after starting the season on the disabled list.

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The Mariners put ace right-hander Felix Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list, shelving their hard-throwing 21-year-old until at least May 4 because of a muscle strain inside his right elbow and forearm. Seattle also recalled right-hander Cha Seung Baek from triple-A Tacoma.

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Phil Hughes will be making his major league debut earlier than expected. A day after getting swept by the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees said they plan on having their top pitching prospect start Thursday against Toronto. Hughes is 2-1 with a 3.94 earned-run average in three starts this season at triple-A Scranton.

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Oakland put right-hander Rich Harden and outfielder Milton Bradley on the 15-day disabled list.... San Diego recalled former Dodgers infielder Oscar Robles from triple-A Portland.... Ken Griffey Jr. was expected back in the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup today after recovering from diverticulitis.... Chicago Cubs right-hander Mark Prior will have an exploratory arthroscopic procedure on his right shoulder today.