Albert Pujols for Ryan Howard? Let's just say the MVP sluggers don't plan to pack their bags anytime soon.

Talk of a megatrade kept baseball buzzing Monday after an ESPN report the Philadelphia Phillies were thinking about asking the St. Louis Cardinals if they would like to swap star first basemen.

Pujols didn't appreciate the speculation.

"There's people, stupid, that like to write something when it's not the truth, and that's all I have to say about that," he said.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. used "lies" and "ridiculous" and "irresponsible" to describe the report.

Pitcher Kerry Wood insists everything is fine and there's no reason to worry but Cleveland isn't taking any chances. Wood, bothered by soreness in a muscle under his shoulder, did not throw a scheduled bullpen session so he could get more rest.

Los Angeles sent former Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne, 34, to their minor league camp, stalling the closer's bid to make it back to the majors. Gagne had a 20.25 ERA in three outings in spring training, allowing six runs and eight hits in 22/3 innings.

Mark Reynolds said he agreed to terms on a new contract reportedly worth $14.5 million over three years and includes an $11 million club option for 2013.

Mariners ace Cliff Lee was ejected from a spring-training game against Arizona for throwing at Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder. With two outs in the third inning, Lee threw an inside pitch to Snyder, then tossed one just over the batter's head. Arizona eventually won, 13-3. ... Ben Sheets was battered for 10 runs without retiring a batter in his latest poor showing, and the Reds beat the Athletics, 13-5. ... Ramon Ortiz kept up his bid for the fifth spot in the Dodgers' rotation, pitching two-hit ball for four innings in a 4-0 victory against the Angels.

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