Andrew Bagnato

Oil Can out: The Expos have scratched Dennis ''Oil Can'' Boyd from Sunday`s start because of a shoulder problem. He`s being replaced by rookie Brian Barnes, 0-2 with an 8.38...

Andre Dawson was a last-minute scratch from the lineup Saturday night because of pain in his right knee. Dawson aggravated a cyst on the outside of the knee sliding into...

Andre Dawson said a surgically removed cyst on his right knee might be returning. Dawson left Friday night`s game after bruising the chronic knee sliding into third base on a...

The Cubs picked up two games on first-place Pittsburgh in Jim Essian`s first two days as their new manager. But they`ve dropped three in the five days since and go...

Manager Jim Essian said Wednesday he would leave Rick Sutcliffe in the bullpen despite Sutcliffe`s rough debut Wednesday in an 8-1 loss to New York. ''It`s a situation he`ll adjust...

Scouts Scott Reid and Hugh Alexander are making their first visit to Wrigley Field, but General Manager Jim Frey says it`s only routine and no trades are brewing. ''We planned...

His back showing no signs of improvement, Joe Girardi is headed back to the hospital. Pitchers Mike Bielecki and Dave Smith, meanwhile, reported their back problems seemed to be improving....

Danny Jackson, trying to return from a torn groin, has suffered a setback and will miss his scheduled start Saturday night. ''He felt a little tightness there about three days...

Closer Dave Smith was unavailable Thursday night because he had spasms in his lower back before the game. ''It flared up and I could barely stand,'' Smith said. The Cubs...

Don`t expect new manager Jim Essian to look the other way if he thinks an opposing pitcher is throwing at his hitters. The Cubs say they welcome the tough-guy approach....