Baker Disputes Report

Chicago Cub Manager Dusty Baker disputed a Los Angeles Times report Sunday that quoted a source as saying Baker would like to return to Los Angeles to manage the Dodgers should Jim Tracy depart.

“I don’t know where these things come from,” Baker told MLB.com. “I’ve got a year and some change on my contract [with the Cubs]. I’ve never not honored a contract in my entire life. I don’t renegotiate contracts. I’ve never done that.”

Baker, who played for the Dodgers from 1976 to 1983, managed the San Francisco Giants from 1993 to 2002 before signing a reported four-year, $15-million contract to manage the Cubs.

“I didn’t sign here for four years thinking about going somewhere else,” Baker said. “I signed here for four years because I thought it might take that long, No. 1, and, No. 2, because I wanted to make sure we saw this thing through. L.A., that’s kind of out there. Sources, there’s always a source saying something. It seems like I’m in more rumors than somebody in Hollywood.”

MLB.com also reported that Baker said he tried to call Tracy, who is also signed through 2006 but could opt out of his contract after this season, in an effort to dispel the report.

*

With a day off today, the Dodger rotation has been pushed back to allow right-hander Derek Lowe an extra day to heal from the blister on his right thumb. Jeff Weaver will start Tuesday at Washington, followed by D.J. Houlton and Brad Penny. Lowe, pitching on five days’ rest, will start the series opener at Pittsburgh on Friday and be followed by Odalis Perez and Weaver.

*

Spanish radio broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela, who won the Cy Young Award as a rookie for the Dodgers in 1981 and threw a no-hitter for them in 1990, is contemplating playing again for Mexicali in the Mexican winter league this year. If he does, he may have a familiar face for a teammate -- his son, Fernando Jr., has expressed a desire to play for the Aguilas as well.

Valenzuela Jr., who is playing first base for the San Diego Padres’ Class-A affiliate at Lake Elsinore, was batting .318 with nine home runs and 65 runs batted in before Sunday.

*

Closer Yhency Brazoban, who has an affinity for the letter Y, has named his 5-day-old daughter Yoneider. Brazoban’s wife is named Yoneidi and their first daughter’s name is Yelaini.