Gagne's Surgery Is Quick and Easy  —  PHILADELPHIA — Eric Gagne's elbow surgery Friday was "a very simple little thing," according to Dr. Frank Jobe, and the All-Star closer could be back by late May.  —  Jobe and Dr. Ralph Gambardella removed a sensory nerve that caused pain when Gagne threw …

Notes: Tracy happy with Pirates  —  Ex-Dodgers manager to face former team in home opener  —  PHILADELPHIA — Jim Tracy was on the speaker phone on Sunday morning from Cincinnati, his Pirates still winless but his spirit unbroken.  —  It's been six months since his five-year stint as Dodgers manager ended.

Bullpen session slated for Prior  —  Rothschild to get look Tuesday at Wrigley  —  Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild will get an up-close look at Mark Prior when the right-hander throws on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.  —  Prior will be in town because of an ongoing lawsuit over a 2004 autograph session in Naperville.

Yankees power past Colon  —  Out-of-sorts ace exits in third as Angels miss chance at sweep  —  ANAHEIM — It may be early for concern, but Bartolo Colon is not himself.  —  Two starts into the season, Colon has yet to show the form that garnered Cy Young Award honors a year ago and he's looked less than ordinary in the process.

Sullivan tags two triples in an inning  —  Colorado center fielder is first to achieve feat since 1951  —  SAN DIEGO — Rockies outfielder Cory Sullivan tripled twice in the fifth inning of Sunday afternoon's game against the Padres, tying a Major League record.

Tigers on deck as Sox end skid  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Detroit Tigers' quick start presents a familiar look to White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko.  —  "The worst thing you can do is call them a fluke," Konerko said Sunday before the Sox headed to Comerica Park to start a three-game series against the 5-1 Tigers.

Game 4 (7-6) and Game 5 (11-8)  —  Friday and Saturday's Reds games were similar in the fact that the Reds starters pitcher well enough to keep a struggling opponent stymied long enough for the offense to build large leads that the bullpen struggled mightily to hold.

Orioles add reliever Morris, cut Chavez  —  BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles expanded their thin pitching staff to 12 players Sunday, purchasing the contract of reliever Cory Morris and designating catcher Raul Chavez for assignment.  —  The Orioles started the season with the theory …

Baseball to tell Mets and Nationals to 'just play ball'  —  Baseball to tell Mets and Nationals to 'just play ball'  —  NEW YORK (AP) — After a series in New York that included seven hit batters, Major League Baseball is telling the Mets and Washington Nationals to be on their best behavior …

Notes: Soriano making outfield strides  —  Nationals slugger working to change throwing technique  —  HOUSTON — Nationals slugger Alfonso Soriano has made significant strides in left field since Spring Training.  Thanks to the coaching he has received from first-base coach Davey Lopes and Jose Cardenal …

Chipper, Giles injured in Braves' loss  —  Jones sprains ankle, hurts knee; second baseman strains quad  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Atlanta lost half its infield to injuries in Sunday's 6-5 defeat at the hands of San Francisco, with third baseman Chipper Jones' knee and ankle much more worrisome …

Penny, Dodgers earn twin bill split  —  Righty tosses seven strong innings, drives in go-ahead run  —  PHILADELPHIA — A year ago, Brad Penny was on the disabled list, his arm still weak from injury and his career prospects uncertain.  —  On Sunday, he looked like a staff ace.

Commentary: Rookies often lost on road in big leagues  —  The elevator doors opened, and there was Eric Reed, the Marlins' pint-sized center fielder, an oversized suitcase in each hand, fumbling into the lobby of the Arlington Hilton.  —  "I couldn't stop laughing,'' veteran infielder Wes Helms said. "

Notes: Relievers put bad inning aside  —  Giants start oldest outfield in history; Alou provides quips  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The top half of the seventh inning Friday was a car wreck for the Giants bullpen, as the Braves pushed across eight runs on just two hits en route to their 14-6 win.

Coco's out on Sunday  —  Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game after jamming the index finger on his left hand.  —  Crisp injured the finger while trying to steal third base after he had singled then stole second base in the third inning of Saturday night's game.