Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday after an MRI earlier in the week revealed a sprain of his right elbow. Gagne, who has been diagnosed with a second-degree sprain of the right ulnar collateral ligament, missed the first 35 games of the season with a similar injury. "It's the same situation he was dealing with in spring training," manager Jim Tracy said before last night's 3-2 loss to Kansas City. "He said he felt burning there." Gagne, the 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner, is a perfect 8-for-8 in save opportunities this season and has converted his last 18 saves dating back to last season, which is the longest current streak in baseball. After 55 saves in 2003, the 29-year-old Gagne put together another outstanding season last year, as he went 7-3 with a 2.19 ERA and 45 saves. He also set a major-league record with 84 straight successful converted save opportunities that was broken in July. Gagne is also one of just three pitchers in major league history to record 45 or more saves in three seasons. Yhency Brazoban, who filled in admirably for Gagne with 11 saves earlier in the season, will again assume the closer's role. In a related move, the Dodgers activated righthander Elmer Dessens from the 15-day disabled list. Dessens, who has pitched to a 4.00 ERA in two starts without recording a decision this season, has not pitched since April 19.