Cubs in no hurry to get Baker deal done  —  There might be a simple explanation for the Cubs' delay in signing manager Dusty Baker to a contract extension: The Cubs hold significant leverage over Baker, and don't need to rush.  —  Baker, 56, is one of the game's best-paid managers …

Yanks put Chacon on DL, recall OF Long … BOSTON — A day after missing a scheduled start due to a left leg injury, Shawn Chacon was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the New York Yankees.  —  With 13 pitchers on the roster, the Yankees purchased the contract of outfielder Terrence Long …

MacPhail speaks on state of Cubs  —  Team president says production and rotation are trouble spots  —  MIAMI — The problem, Chicago Cubs team president Andy MacPhail says, is simple.  The Cubs simply aren't driving in runs.  —  The numbers back him up.

Alfonzo Is Released; Bulger Is Called Up  —  The Angels released infielder Edgardo Alfonzo on Saturday, closing the ledger on one of the most unproductive expenditures in franchise history.  —  The club compounded the ineffective free-agent signing of outfielder Steve Finley …

Hernandez bears down after pep talk  —  Even after giving up a couple of walks and a couple of runs in the third inning Sunday, Felix Hernandez was in a position to coast.  —  After all, the Mariners had scored eight runs in the second inning, giving Hernandez an 8-3 lead.

Pirates Notebook: Duffy's absence stems from unhappiness with game  —  PHOENIX — Center fielder Chris Duffy's absence from the Pirates apparently is motivated by a general unhappiness with playing the game much more than dissatisfaction with the team, two sources close to Duffy said.

Notes: Escobar scratched from lineup  —  Injury-riddled outfielder hurt his left hamstring on Sunday  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielder Alex Escobar was scheduled to bat sixth against the Astros on Monday night, but he was scratched around 5:00 p.m. CT after he informed the team's trainers …

Notes: Matthews feeling strong  —  Outfielder off to solid start despite missing Spring Training  —  HOUSTON — White Sox first baseman Dick Allen missed all of Spring Training in 1972 because of a contract dispute.  He didn't bother signing anything until right before Opening Day.

A monkey off Theo's back  —  The most expensive gorilla suit in the world hangs in the window of Ace Ticket in Brookline, Mass.  —  When Jim Holzman plunked down $11,000 for it at a January charity event in Boston, he was buying publicity for his broker business, sure, but more than that …

You Could Look It Up  —  Bonds is Ruthless  —  One question that has come up repeatedly in the mainstream media's handling of Barry Bonds' pursuit of Babe Ruth's place on the all-time home run list is "Why isn't Bonds as popular as Ruth was?"  Variations on this theme include …

Wagner saves face & series  —  Mets ride off with Subway win  —  After blowing a four-run lead against the Yankees on Saturday afternoon, Billy Wagner went to the movies.  He and his wife saw "The Da Vinci Code" and also spent part of the evening talking about how Wagner had been through bad days on the mound before and rebounded.

Peavy in search of winning formula  —  Atlanta (21-22) at San Diego (23-21), 7:05 p.m. PT  —  Returning home after a nine-game trip through Chicago, Phoenix and Seattle, the Padres will try to reverse a losing trend at PETCO Park.  —  Having dropped five of six after opening the trip …

McCann injured after collision at plate  —  Catcher suffers left ankle sprain, listed as day-to-day  —  PHOENIX — What at first looked like an injury that could have been very detrimental to their season proved to be one that the Braves are hoping keeps Brian McCann out of their lineup for just a few days.

Sox, whys and videotape: Feel-good viewing for Schilling  —  PHILADELPHIA - Orioles hitters weren't dazzled by his pitches Tuesday night.  Nor were Yankees batters the least bit baffled by anything Curt Schilling hurled their way in the previous start.  —  The Sox ace has fallen into a rut.

Soriano Has More Left Than Ever Expected  —  When everything is perfect at a ballpark, sometimes you don't want to leave, even if the Nationals just beat the Orioles, 3-1, to win the first Battle of the Beltways in 35 years.  The afternoon sun on a breezy spring day makes you wish for a second …

Future Shock  —  Nick Adenhart, RHP, Low Class A Cedar Rapids (Angels)  —  Angels scouting director Eddie Bane ... super-genius!  Adenhart was one of the top high school pitchers going into the 2004 draft season, but he needed Tommy John surgery before the draft and teams stayed away from him …

Thought processor  —  Rodriguez among many athletes who swear by Fannin and his mental visualization system  —  The Streak is now more than a decade old, but few know about it, and Alex Rodriguez isn't talking about it.  —  For the last 1,560 or so games, the Yankees star has received help …