Baker hoping for the best from Wood  —  SAN DIEGO — Cubs manager Dusty Baker refused to commit to Angel Guzman as his starting pitcher Friday at Wrigley Field against the San Diego Padres.  After seeing Guzman struggle in another loss Sunday against the Padres, Baker was vague about his alternatives …

IT'S ABOUT TIME THE BOMBERS DROP DAVID  —  PAPIPOWER VS. THE PINSTRIPES  —  May 9, 2006 — THE Yankees have to droppy Papi.  They need to brush the beast back.  They need to pick out one of David Ortiz' chins and let a little music dance across the whiskers.  And they need to do this immediately.

It's no time for Rangers to panic  —  ARLINGTON — There was a runner on second and nobody out in a game a few days ago when a Rangers hitter — we won't embarrass him by naming him here — rolled his wrists over and pulled a weak ground ball to third against a fastball pitcher.

Mets: Top prospects will stay  —  Mets insiders insisted yesterday that the team's core prospects, including Lastings Milledge, won't be dealt under any circumstances - not even to obtain Barry Zito or Dontrelle Willis if they were made available.  —  "We're going to be fine," a team source said.

Rincon says he will undergo surgery  —  Cards would be left looking for another left-handed reliever  —  ST. LOUIS — It appears likely that Ricardo Rincon is headed for shoulder surgery.  It is all but certain that if Rincon has an operation, he will be out for the season.

Off Mound, Mets' Ace Loosens Up in His Garden  —  For two hours on the days Pedro Martínez is scheduled to pitch at Shea Stadium, he is alone with his pale yellow daffodils, his purple petunias, his cotton-candy-colored hyacinths, the flowers that make his property look like a botanical garden.

Mailbag: Nats new owners to rebuild  —  Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … With the Lerner group expressing the need to rebuild the Nationals' farm system, I have the following question: How bad is the farm system?  — Mike E., Springfield, Va.  —  Mike, it's not very good.

Buehrle labors, but Crede saves day  —  For a pitcher who prides himself on fuel efficiency, Mark Buehrle sure is acting like a gas guzzler lately.  —  Buehrle threw so many pitches Sunday against the lowly Kansas City Royals that his tank was empty after six innings and he was unable …

Tough times for Marlins — and their fans  —  Tony Gwynn & Jeff Passan: These teams turn it around Can Bonds catch Aaron?  —  MIAMI (AP) — The vendor climbed the steps in the stands behind home plate, searching for customers amid the empty seats during the Florida Marlins' latest loss.

Sheff gets rest of the story  —  Ten to 14 days off should heal his wrist; Melky likely to move up  —  When Gary Sheffield went to get a second opinion on his bruised left wrist yesterday, he feared the worst-case scenario, a season-ending injury, according to a friend.

Agent expects Bonds to have a go at 2007  —  Expect Barry Bonds back next year to battle all his aches and pains, and, of course, to chase Hank Aaron's home run record.  —  Bonds, 41, has sent mixed signals publicly about whether he plans to return for another season, but Jeff Borris …

A conversation with GM Doug Melvin  —  Melvin offers his views on the pitching staff, others  —  SAN DIEGO — Mark Attanasio and Doug Melvin sat glumly in the back of the press box on Sunday afternoon, looking like someone had just stolen their Dodger Dogs.

Reyes keeps them smiling  —  Shortstop's youthful demeanor keeps clubhouse loose  —  It's a few hours before a night game on the West Coast, and Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is in familiar form.  —  He's sitting in the clubhouse, he's smiling and, of course, he is chatting up a storm on his cell phone …

A'S, FREMONT NEAR DEAL Fans — not city — likely to feel biggest void  —  The Seals were iced.  The Silver and Black once found Los Angeles more enticing.  Even the city's basketball team has refused to take its name.  Through the past four decades, the one constant on the Oakland sports landscape has been the Athletics.