>>Cubs Announce Kane County As Class A Affiliate

The Chicago Cubs say the Kane County Cougars have become their Class A affiliate, marking an end to their relationship with the Peoria Chiefs.

Both the Cubs and the Cougars said Wednesday they'd reached a 2-year deal. The Cougars play just outside Geneva in northern Illinois.

Reports had indicated for weeks the Cubs were making the move, but neither team had confirmed the information until Wednesday.

Earlier in the day the St. Louis Cardinals announced they signed an agreement to make the Peoria club their Class A affiliate through 2016.

Kane County had been part of the Kansas City Royals system.

Cougars General Manager Curtis Haug said the Royals had been a great partner and called the decision difficult.

>>Cardinals Sign Four-Year Deal With Peoria

(St. Louis, MO)  --  The Cardinals have agreed to a four-year player development deal with the Peoria Chiefs.  The Midwest League franchise was at one time the Low-A affiliate of the Cardinals, but had most recently been affiliated with the Cubs.  The Cardinals no longer are affiliated with Quad Cities.

>>Reds' Baker Diagnosed With Irregular Heartbeat

(Chicago, IL)  --  Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker has been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.  Prior to Wednesday night's game against the Cubs, Baker visited a Chicago-area hospital for chest X-rays to rule out pneumonia.  Cincinnati trainer Paul Lessard said after the game that the 63-year-old Baker has an irregular heartbeat and he was going to stay at the hospital overnight.  Baker managed the 3,000th game of his career on Tuesday night.