Ex-Dodgers pitcher Gagné retires: report

Don't expect another major league comeback attempt by Éric Gagné, Canadian baseball fans.

The 34-year-old former closer, who won the 2003 Cy Young Award as the top pitcher in the National League, has lost his desire to play the game and retired, Montreal news website Rue Frontenac reported Monday.

The Los Angeles Dodgers released the Mascouche, Que., native on March 22, seven days after he was reassigned to their minor league camp.

Gagné spent last year in the minors, pitching in the independent Can-Am League, after the Milwaukee Brewers cut him loose in 2008 after doctors found he had a frayed rotator cuff.

Gagné made headlines in February when he admitted to using human growth hormone during his playing days, saying it was necessary to take pressure off his back after having two discs removed in 2006.

In 2003, the right-hander converted all 55 save chances and closed out 152 games in three seasons through 2004.

The six-foot hurler converted a record 84 consecutive save chances during that time but had operations on his pitching elbow in 2005 and 2006.

Gagne ends with a career mark of 33-26 with a 3.47 earned-run average and 187 saves over a 10-year career with the Dodgers, the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Brewers.