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 …

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 …

NY Mets 8, Philadelphia 1  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Freddy Garcia's long-anticipated debut with the Phillies was a bust.  —  Moises Alou homered twice and drove in three runs, Tom Glavine got his 293rd win and the New York Mets beat Philadelphia 8-1 Tuesday night.

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.

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.

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 …

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?

Freezin' My Nats Off  —  Oh man.  I was one of the 1,000 or so pathetic souls on hand for tonight's 5-1 victory over the Braves.  It was raining and 45 degrees, but the 40 mile per hour wind gusts had the wind chill down to 36 degrees.  I've been to warmer NFL games in December.

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.

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

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 …

Nats pay respects to Va. Tech victims  —  Washington dons Hokies hats in game against Braves  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals payed their respects to the 32 people who were killed at Virginia Tech in an attack by an armed gunman Monday afternoon by wearing Hokies hats starting in the second inning of Tuesday's game against the Braves.