The Hot Corner

As a precautionary measure, the Cubs pushed Kerry Wood's first start after elbow surgery back 10 days, to this Sunday. They also want Wood to stop throwing his slider, fearing the pitch puts too much stress on his right arm. Says manager Don Baylor, "When I say we're going to be cautious, I'm serious."

... Royals rookie outfielder Mark Quinn, who batted .360 with 25 homers and 84 RBIs at Triple A Omaha last season, then hit six dingers during a 17-game call-up, is miffed at not having a guaranteed roster spot this spring. "I don't feel I have anything else to prove in the minor leagues," says Quinn, who hit .300 with no homers in 20 at bats in his first nine exhibition games....

Astros righthander Scott Elarton, recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, started throwing breaking balls only last week and won't be ready for Opening Day. That means righthander Dwight Gooden, 35, in camp on a minor league contract, is likely to be Houston's fifth starter. Notoriously slow out of the blocks, Gooden retired the first 12 men he faced this year....

In his debut last week 19-year-old righthander Josh Beckett, the Marlins' first-round pick in the 1999 draft, retired all six Royals he faced and hit 96 mph on a radar gun. "I don't know when I've been this impressed," said manager John Boles.