Former Cy Young award winner Eric Gagne is not ruling out a return to the majors, but he says his immediate priority is to get back into shape while pitching for the Quebec City Capitales.
The Capitales play in the Can-Am League, and they signed the Mascouche native last month.
Gagne is expected to make his Capitales debut on Saturday at the Stade municipal de Quebec. He told reporters Tuesday that he's playing for the love of the game and to maintain the skills that led him to save 55 consecutive games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003.
"I'm not here for the money," said the right-hander, who'll make $2,000 a month compared with $10 million a year in the majors.
"If I return to the major leagues in a year or two, I'll be happy," he added. "But for now I'm concentrating on my next start."
Gagne, 33, could appear in 16 games for the Capitales, who play an 80-game season. He hasn't been the same since shoulder surgery and was released by the Milwaukee Brewers this past spring.
Gagne says that he's getting better and no longer has shoulder pain.
Former superstar
Gagne has a 33-26 major league record with 187 saves.
He made his debut with the Dodgers in 1999 and in 2003 he was the just second Canadian pitcher in history (after Ferguson Jenkins) to win the Cy Young award.
- With Files from The Canadian Press -
