Womack could be at 2nd base by weekend  —  MIAMI — It wouldn't be surprising to see Tony Womack show up at Wrigley Field this weekend as the Cubs' starting second baseman against the Atlanta Braves.  —  "I'm hearing good reports on him,'' manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday. "

HOMEMLBTEAMSNEWS STORYTowers struggles vs. D-Rays, sent down  —  TORONTO (CP)- Josh Towers' shortest start of the season will be his last with the Toronto Blue Jays for a while.  —  Towers allowed four runs in just 1 1-3 innings Wednesday as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays defeated Toronto 10-8 …

Mets acquire Williams from Cincinnati  —  NEW YORK —The New York Mets made another trade to help their injury-depleted pitching staff Thursday, acquiring Dave Williams from the Cincinnati Reds for a minor leaguer.  —  The Reds got right-hander Robert Manuel in the deal and assigned him to Class-A Dayton.

Another home-groan loss  —  ARLINGTON - The Rangers' 8-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday left them with three thoughts about what needs to happen for them to make the playoffs:  —  They have to find a way to win more often at home.  They are 10-14 at Ameriquest Field in Arlington …

Lies, Damned Lies  —  Is it Still Good to Be the King?  —  friendly  —  Contact  —  I was in Las Vegas this past weekend, and was asked by a couple of poker buddies about the struggles of Felix Hernandez.  Being a few drinks and a couple hundred hands of crazy pineapple into the wind …

Too many Joneses  —  Young struggles against Atlanta's two star sluggers  —  Padres newcomer Chris Young has been a dependable pitcher, turning in only one clunker in 10 starts.  The clunker came last night, and the Braves took advantage for a 10-6 win at Petco Park that was last-place San Diego's seventh defeat in nine games.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION  —  If San Jose or another Bay Area city is willing to donate the land and pay for related road improvements, Oakland A's owner Lew Wolff will build a stadium and deliver a Major League Soccer team to replace the departed Earthquakes.

Ask Paul Sullivan  —  The Tribune's Cubs beat writer answers readers' questions every week throughout the season  —  What exactly has Dusty Baker done this year or the previous two to earn a chance to continue managing this club?  The only consistent thing the past three years has been poor fundamentals …

Pirates Notebook: Top pick from 2001 still hurting  —  PHOENIX — There is no end in sight for the rehabilitation of John Van Benschoten, the Pirates' top pick in the 2001 draft.  —  More than two months after he was expected to return to competition, he again is being limited to long-tossing …

Three men and a maybe  —  Royals will draft Miller, Lincecum or Lincoln with first overall pick  —  KANSAS CITY — Call them the Big Three.  —  They are the three most prominent names in the Royals' search for the No. 1 overall choice in the First-Year Player Draft.  They have one thing in common.

Ten Things I Learned from Hit Tracker  —  Baseball followers have long wondered how long the long ball goes.  Even during the days of infrequent home runs, fans would ooh and ahh every long-distance whack.  Baseball Almanac has a great article by William Jenkinson about the history …

Owners Want City to Shift Gears on Parking  —  The Washington Nationals' ownership group is pushing District officials to build massive parking garages for the baseball stadium aboveground, contrary to the wishes of city planners, who say the structures should go underground …

Jorge to have MRI and more time off  —  BOSTON - Jorge Posada had a bulky wrap on his left leg early yesterday and he'll have a MRI today to find out exactly what's wrong with his hamstring.  —  Posada said the area just above his knee is what's ailing him and added that he and trainer Gene …

A-ROD CONFRONTS MIRABELLI  —  May 25, 2006 — BOSTON - According to several Fenway Park sources, Alex Rodriguez called Doug Mirabelli over late yesterday afternoon and challenged the Red Sox' backup catcher over what Mirabelli said about A-Rod's actions at the plate Tuesday night …

He couldn't Hale a taxi: Third base coach is left stranded  —  The judgment of third base coach DeMarlo Hale this season has been nearly flawless, so it was interesting to see what happened last night when two baserunners at third base saw the game differently than he did.