Tavarez suspension pushed back a week

PITTSBURGH Julian Tavarez isn't going to begin his five-gamesuspension Sunday, after all. Tavarez will start Sunday against thePittsburgh Pirates and next Saturday in San Francisco beforebeginning his suspension April 29. He will miss one start and beeligible to return May 5 against Los Angeles.

What happened to change the original announcement, when majorleague baseball officials said Wednesday they had denied Tavarez'sappeal of a penalty that stemmed from his spring-training altercationwith the Giants' Russ Davis?

President; general manager Andy MacPhail was furious at MLBofficials for what he felt was an onerous suspension. Tavarez wouldhave gone 10 days between starts as it originally stood. He lastpitched Tuesday and would have returned next Saturday in SanFrancisco. To MacPhail, that was twice as harsh and unjustified.

So when the players union informed MacPhail they would file anappeal and put the penalty again on hold, he agreed heartily. As forTavarez, he wants it behind him.

"It's driving me crazy," he said. "I'm just doing what they tellme."

Manager Don Baylor said he's happy Tavarez can pitch Sunday so hewon't have to start Kevin Tapani (3-0) on three days rest.

WHITE TO CENTER: Baylor said he soon might start left fielderRondell White in center and first baseman Matt Stairs in left so hecan play Julio Zuleta or Ron Coomer at first. The Cubs' brain trustdecided in spring-training that starting White in center wasn't agood option to take, but slow offensive starts by Damon Buford andGary Matthews Jr. and a need to play Zuleta and Coomer have dictatedotherwise.

"Stairs will probably go out there (this weekend) and start takingsome fly balls," Baylor said. "We are going to have Coomer back soon.Somebody has to move around for me to keep Zuleta in the lineup."

Coomer (knee surgery) is on a rehab assignment in New Orleans andcould be activated next week in Colorado or San Francisco.

As for White, he will play center if told to do so.

"I don't want to step on anybody's toes," White said, referring toBuford and Matthews. "But if I get loose enough, I'll be fine incenter. If that's what they want, I'll do it."

NEWS FLASH: Tom "Flash" Gordon is scheduled to pitch three timesnext week in the Florida State League for the Cubs' Class A club inDaytona in his long comeback from a strained right triceps. Baylordoesn't expect Gordon-when he is ready for the majors-to instantlydisplace Jeff Fassero, who leads the NL with eight saves.

"It's a nice problem to have," Baylor said. "Why not (have two)?Especially with one guy coming off surgery."