Patterson on Baylor's mind

MONTREAL Highly regarded center-field prospect Corey Pattersonnever is far from Cubs manager Don Baylor's thoughts. Baylor saidThursday that some Cubs should not forget Patterson isn't far fromtaking their jobs.

"He is going to put some pressure on some guys here," Baylor said."When you are hitting .140 (as Patterson was early this season withClass AA West Tenn), it's difficult. But I imagine the more he hits,the more we are going to start talking about him."

Patterson drove in seven runs Wednesday in a Southern Leaguedoubleheader against Carolina. He went 4-for-7 in West Tenn's sweepand hit his first two home runs this season. He has raised hisaverage to .191 in 13 games.

"He is going to come around," Baylor said.

IT'S OFFICIAL: General manager Ed Lynch has decided Kerry Woodwill start Sunday in Des Moines for Class AAA Iowa against ColoradoSprings. It could be the final start of Wood's minor-leaguerehabilitation stint before the Cubs bring him back to the majors.Lynch made up his mind after hearing the weather forecast: 75 degreesand sunny.

SQUEEZE PLAY: Damon Buford was replaced in center field Tuesday byTarrik Brock and Thursday by Sammy Sosa. He is likely the playerBaylor had in mind when he spoke of Patterson putting pressure onsomeone.

Buford won't get specific about what he is working on to get hisoffense straightened out. But he knows the bottom line with a .186batting average through Wednesday.

"Hits are the only solution," he said. "It's not the first time inmy life and it probably won't be the last. I hope I don't go the restof my life without getting another hit. I'm a career proven .240hitter. So at least I have to get up to .240 sometime soon."

COME BACK, SHANE: Baylor thinks Shane Andrews hurt himself bytrying too hard to strike back at the Expos, who released him lastSeptember. That's why Baylor benched Andrews on Thursday and startedJeff Huson at third base.

"Shane comes here and he's so uptight because he wants to dowell," Baylor said. "He's struggling right now at the plate."