Gagne Leaves Dodgers' Camp

RHP Eric Gagne left the Dodgers' spring training camp to go home for personal reasons, Manager Grady Little said yesterday.

"He told us he'll be back by Sunday," Little said before the Los Angeles opened its exhibition schedule against the Braves. "He'll throw on the side Monday and pitch in a game Wednesday. He feels great."

Gagne, 30, was limited to 14 games last year because of injuries, and underwent season-ending surgery on June 24 to repair a sprained ligament in his pitching elbow. . . .

RHP Roger Clemens was back on the mound at Astros camp yesterday, striking out four of the 10 minor leaguers he faced and catching a hard line drive.

Clemens threw 38 pitches -- 24 for strikes -- in his second tuneup for the World Baseball Classic. Clemens was set to leave later yesterday to join the United States team in Scottsdale, Ariz. After four days in Florida, Clemens is no closer to committing to a 23rd season. He said his performance in the WBC will not influence his choice. . . .

Marlins LF Miguel Cabrera agreed to a one-year contract that will pay him $472,000 .

Cabrera batted .323 with 33 home runs and 116 RBI last year in his third major league season. He doesn't yet have enough service time to qualify for arbitration. . . .

Reds pitching coach Vern Ruhle has cancer, but plans to stay with the team while getting treatment. The 55-year-old Ruhle did not disclose the type of cancer he has, but said doctors expect him to make a full recovery.