Gagne faced hitters for the first time this year, throwing 11 pitches in a ''B'' game Monday for the Texas Rangers. The most important result for the 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner was how he felt.

''It's just good to be out there, be free and not have to worry about anything but making your pitches. It's been a while since I felt that way,'' Gagne said. ''It's the best I've felt in two years. It's pretty positive.''

The right-hander has had three operations (two elbow, one back) since his 2002-04 stretch with the Dodgers, when he converted a record 84 straight save chances. He was limited to 15 1/3 innings the last two seasons.

Gagne said it was the first time since late in the 2004 season that he pitched in a game without pain.

Isringhausen on schedule

Jason Isringhausen is set to make his spring training debut Thursday, right on schedule.

The St. Louis Cardinals closer missed the World Series after hip surgery in September. He threw to hitters on a back field for the third time on Monday and by all accounts was sharp

Isringhausen was pain free, with no mechanical issues.

Isringhausen had an NL-high 10 blown saves last year while pitching with pain that caused him to alter his delivery.

Matthews apologizes

Gary Matthews Jr. apologized to the Los Angeles Angels for causing a distraction to the team during spring training.

Matthews allegedly was sent human growth hormone in 2004 from a pharmacy that's part of a widespread steroid investigation, and Angels owner Arte Moreno has asked Matthews to publicly address the issue, a stance baseball commissioner Bud Selig backed Saturday.

''Gary regrets the distraction this story has caused the Angels front office, the manager and his staff, teammates and fans,'' Matthews' agent, Scott Leventhal, said in a statement. ''However, given the ongoing investigation, he simply cannot discuss the matter until appropriate to do so. Gary sincerely apologizes for this distraction and is determined to resolve this issue in a timely manner.''

* Angels starters Bartolo Colon and Jered Weaver each threw 45 pitches in a bullpen session Monday and looked good, according to pitching coach Mike Butcher.

Whether they'll be ready to take their spots in the rotation when the season opens remains uncertain.

Around the horn

Padres: Greg Maddux was scratched from a scheduled start Monday for the San Diego Padres against the Chicago White Sox because of a a mild lower abdominal strain.

Rockies: Catcher Javy Lopez, who had been competing to make Colorado's opening-day roster, was released Monday.