Eric Gagne signs with independent league's Long Island Ducks

Eric Gagne's hopeful path back to Major League Baseball will take a detour through the Atlantic League first.

The former Cy Young-winning reliever has signed a deal with the Long Island Ducks of independent baseball's Atlantic League, the team announced Friday.

"Eric is similar to so many former Major League players that utilize the Atlantic League as a showcase to be seen by all 30 big-league clubs," Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff said. "The Ducks are pleased to offer him this opportunity."

Prior to appearing in the World Baseball Classic this past March with his native Canada, Gagne revealed the tournament had him contemplating a major-league comeback, and he later said he was discussing a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers - his former club from 1999-2006 with whom he posted a 3.27 ERA and won a Cy Young Award with in 2003 - though no deal was ever finalized.

After the Dodgers, Gagne also went on to pitch for the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers, though injuries and accusations of steroid use ultimately derailed his career in 2008.