Prior leaves game with sore shoulder  —  Mark Prior's first extended spring outing ended badly on Thursday when the injury-plagued right-hander was forced to leave his start early.  —  Prior experienced discomfort in his right shoulder, according to a statement by the Cubs.

I Want Candy  —  Kid in a candy store, baby.  I can't remember being this excited about a game in a long time, let alone being this excited about a game and having it turn out better than expected.  Did you see the glint in Ichiro Suzuki's eye, or was that just the million flash bulbs?

Mets Have No Defense for Pérez's Seven Ball Fours  —  Oliver Pérez's last outing at Shea Stadium in 2006 went a lot better than his first one in 2007.  —  Pérez started Game 7 of last year's National League Championship Series and left the mound to a standing ovation …

Doors closed for Nats after loss  —  ATLANTA — Jim Bowden, by nature, is not a patient man.  —  The Washington Nationals general manager's career has been littered with impulsive roster moves, whether it's sending a struggling outfielder to the minors, claiming a recently dumped pitcher off waivers …

More Rangers to honor Robinson  —  Hairston, Lofton, Pettis also expected to get OK to wear No. 42  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - Even a program won't help you tell some of the Rangers apart Sunday.  —  Four of them will be wearing No. 42.  —  The club has petitioned Major …

MILLEDGE SET FOR MOVE TO TRIPLE-A  —  Lastings Milledge knows what is probably coming.  He knows that he'll likely get called in after tonight's game with the Phillies and be told he's heading to Triple-A New Orleans.  —  With pitcher Mike Pelfrey joining the Mets to start tomorrow against Washington …

Notes: Julio's security unclear  —  Right-handed closer could move into setup role  —  MIAMI — On Wednesday, a day after Jorge Julio was unable to seal his second save opportunity of the season, manager Fredi Gonzalez was noncommittal when asked if the 28-year-old right-hander would remain the Marlins closer.

It's all in who you hire  —  WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Building a good team does not start with the players.  Rather, it's building a good front office that can make the difference.  That's why my first three hires as Nationals GM were Bob Boone, Jose Rijo and Barry Larkin …

Minor League Transactions  —  A look at minor league transactions covering March 31 to April 6.  We're experimenting with an expanded version of transactions that includes players who were optioned, called up to the majors, placed on the minor league disabled list and outrighted off the 40-man roster.

Falling body sends fan to DL  —  Ellen Massey always counted being struck by a baseball or a bat at Shea Stadium among the hazards of being a Mets fan, but she never thought a 300-pound man would come crashing down the stands — and onto her.  —  That's what the Manhattan resident, 58, said happened on Monday, Opening Day at Shea.

Gonzalez, Day Making Impact With Sox  —  Gio Gonzalez is off to a fast start with his former team at Double-A Birmingham.  —  A 2004 first-round supplemental pick of the White Sox, Gonzalez was dealt to Philadelphia in the Jim Thome trade at the end of the 2005 season.