Eric Gagne threw in a B game last night and felt no pain for the first time in years:

Gagne described himself as "totally out of whack" with his mechanics and said it felt weird throwing to batters again.

"A lot of stuff wasn't right, but overall I felt good," Gagne said. "Right now, it's pretty much my health I'm worried about. I'm not worried about the results. ... The arm felt good, the elbow felt good and the back felt good. I'm petty excited, pretty encouraged."

Gagne said it was the first time since late in the 2004 season that he pitched in a game without pain. He didn't even feel stiff afterward. He will pitch again Thursday or Friday, likely in a minor league game, and hopes to complete a full inning.

I hate to hear his mechanics are bad, however. That makes me worry he'll injure himself again trying to work back into shape. But this is a very encouraging sign for the closer.

By the way, Rob Neyer picked Texas to win the division. I don't see it myself. I talked about the AL West during my Feb. 28th podcast, and I see Seattle as the surprise team in the division.