Notes: Soriano suffers hamstring strain  —  Center fielder expected to miss a week; Pie called up from Iowa  —  CHICAGO — An MRI exam on Alfonso Soriano's left leg revealed a minor hamstring strain, and he did not expect to need more than a week to heal.  The Cubs medical staff apparently agreed …

Pepperoni with that?  Flying pizza at Fens  —  Jason Sole just wanted to catch a foul ball.  Matt Madore was merely trying to eat some pizza.  —  Put the two together, and it sounds like the setup for a twisted Reese's peanut butter cup commercial.  But what started as a disagreement …

Superstar in the making  —  Reyes continues to improve on dynamic talents  —  Jackie Robinson would have loved Jose Reyes, the New York Mets shortstop whose mentor may be Rickey Henderson but whose dynamic energy on the field recalls Robinson.  Baseball's tribute Sunday to the 60th anniversary …

Corpas getting Hawkins' key role  —  Just a couple of hours after getting bumped from his job as the Rockies' primary setup man, all LaTroy Hawkins could do was tip his cap to the man who replaced him.  —  That would be 24-year-old relief pitcher Manny Corpas.

Nats Are Winning.  How Cool Is That?  —  In the first inning at frigid, drizzling and wind-whipped RFK Stadium last night, rookie Matt Chico got two quick outs, then gradually began to turn into a snowman.  As the wind dried his hand, the ball felt slick.  As the cold chilled the San Diegan's body, his pitches began to bounce.

Ozzie to fans: Give Sammy some love  —  Ozzie Guillen might be reaching.  Just as the White Sox manager wanted fans on the South Side to welcome back former Sox great Frank Thomas when the Oakland Athletics came to town last season, Guillen now is asking for the same warmth for Texas Rangers outfielder Sammy Sosa.

Everett is Mr. Smooth in the field … "If Ozzie Smith was as good as Adam Everett, he was incredible."  —  "I can say in my heart of hearts that he's the best defensive shortstop on the planet.  From what I've seen, there's no way he can't be."  —  PHILADELPHIA — Adam Everett doesn't feel …

Aaron's No. 755 landing site located  —  Plaque to mark landing spot of historic homer  —  MILWAUKEE — It was one of the more forgettable home runs of Hank Aaron's remarkable, record-setting career.  But it was nonetheless historic, and the Brewers are going to great lengths this summer to commemorate it.

Mailbag: Franco the player/manager?  —  Mets beat reporter Marty Noble answers fans' questions  —  I read somewhere that Julio Franco wants to play past 50 years old then become a manager.  Any way he can become a player/manager?  Who was the last guy to do that?  Pete Rose?  Joe Torre?

On Thom Brennaman  —  For some reason, I got games on MLB.TV on my PC on Saturday despite FOK$' dictatorship over baseball on Saturdays, and I was able to watch two games at the same time.  It was odd because I was blacked out on the laptop.  —  Anyway, I turned the sound off of the Anaheim Suburb …

Minor League Transactions  —  As anticipated, this week's transactions were not nearly as hectic as the post-spring training maneuverings.  This installment looks at all the moves made between April 7-13.  —  Last week's transactions available here.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks

Froemming sets umpiring mark  —  Major League Baseball Umpire Bruce Froemming was recognized at last night's game between the Florida Marlins and the Houston Astros at Houston's Minute Maid Park for setting the record for the most consecutive years of service (37) by an active umpire in baseball history.

Baseball's Worst Cliché  —  When I am king, one of my first acts will be to create a law that permanently eradicates the expression "a good piece of hitting" from the baseball announcer's lexicon.  Millions of Americans who now can't watch baseball games on television without hurling heavy items toward …