"What's up fellas? Welcome to my house," he said as he reported to camp Monday, a day before the mandatory report date and six days after the rest of the Cubs regulars.

Sosa, 32, and the Cubs have been working for a year on an extension to his $42.5-million, four-year contract, which is to expire after this season. But they haven't had success, and the slugger probably will become a free agent.

Sosa, however, has promised that his contract won't be a distraction.

"I came here to be happy and play baseball," he said. "Right now I'm not thinking about is this going to happen, is it not going to happen. Whatever happens, God bless."

BRAVES: Catcher Eddie Perez, coming back from shoulder surgery, passed his first throwing test, making about 10 from home to second without pain.

BREWERS: Milwaukee is close to a contract extension with rightfielder Jeromy Burnitz. General manager Dean Taylor said he hopes to wrap up talks with agent Howard Simon by Wednesday.

CARDINALS: Rick Ankiel, under scrutiny this spring after a wild post-season, won't be used in the team's first five spring training games.

REDS: Former Braves closer Mark Wohlers, whose career was derailed by a nervous disorder, pitched a perfect inning in an intrasquad game. "That man is one imposing figure out there ... 6 foot 6, 240 pounds, throwing 98 mph with pinpoint breaking pitches," relief pitcher Scott Sullivan said.

WHITE SOX: Frank Thomas, still thinking he's underpaid at $9.9-million, was scheduled to meet with owner Jerry Reinsdorf to discuss his salary complaints. Thomas has refused to practice with the team and has missed six days of workouts. Thomas took one on the chin from a former teammate, Mets third baseman Robin Ventura. "Nobody put a gun to his head to sign it," Ventura said. "It goes back to a basic moral principle: If it was a good contract when you signed it, you put your name on it. Stand by it."

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