When manager Jim Essian benched Shawon Dunston last weekend, it gave rise to whispers in the clubhouse that a miffed Dunston might be ready to leave when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
But the Cub shortstop insists he wants to stay in Chicago. Though batting .224, lowest of his career, he denies he`s feeling pressure as his entry into the free-agent market nears. ”Pressure is growing up in New York,”
Dunston said. ”This isn`t pressure.”
Then he added somewhat cryptically: ”I`m happy, but I`m not content. They say Tony Gwynn is in a slump, and he`s hitting .340. Let me be in a slump and hit .280.”
The Oakland A`s were expected to make a strong bid for Dunston after Walt Weiss suffered an ankle injury. But now it appears Weiss will return by the middle of August.
No relief: Les Lancaster isn`t happy about going back to the bullpen. With contending teams desperately looking for pitching, he might be a prime candidate for a trade. But Lancaster said he won`t demand one.
”I`m not at that point. I just want one solid job. I know I can start, and they know it, too. There comes a time when they have to make up their minds.”
Lancaster returns to the bullpen for the second time this year to make room for Danny Jackson, who comes off the disabled list to start Saturday night. Lancaster will fill in for closer Dave Smith, whose knee surgery could sideline him until mid-September.
Rest is over: The Cubs took Thursday off, but their next open date isn`t until Aug. 22, a stretch of 20 games. Essian said he`s ready to go back to a five-man rotation, with Rick Sutcliffe taking the fifth slot.
From peak to pits: Gary Scott, who was the opening day third baseman for the Cubs after hitting .400 in spring training, probably will be out for the rest of the regular season with a broken left hand after being hit by a pitch in a Triple-A game.
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Scott was hit by a Joe Turek pitch Tuesday in the second inning of an Iowa Cubs game against Nashville and will be out of action from four to six weeks.
And more: The Cubs have won four straight series in New York and eight of their last 12 games here. . . . Essian returns to the site of his big-league managing debut, a 5-2 victory May 22. He`s 30-32 since replacing Don Zimmer . . . Greg Maddux had four wins in his first six starts and has four in his last 17. . . . Mets catcher Mackey Sasser believes his throwing problem is in remission. He has had to tap the ball in his mitt several times before returning it to the pitcher, giving alert baserunners a chance to steal. ”I stopped taking all the suggestions, doing all the extra work, worrying all the time,” he said. ”It just seems to be getting better on its own. I feel more comfortable.”