Taiwan joined the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic second round Tuesday despite defeat to 2009 finalists South Korea, who suffered their earliest exit in the competition.

Cuba overwhelmed China 12-0 to reach the World Baseball Classic second round alongside defending champions Japan Monday, as South Korea earned their first win with a 6-0 romp against Australia.

Reigning champions Japan beat China and Taiwan came from behind against the Netherlands as the two co-hosts neared round two of the World Baseball Classic with their second straight wins on Sunday.

Two-time defending champions Japan narrowly beat Brazil and 2009 finalists South Korea were shocked 5-0 by the Netherlands as the World Baseball Classic got off to an engrossing start on Saturday.

Former Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez has been holding talks about playing for a Taiwanese professional baseball team in the spring season, the team's leading coach said Wednesday.

Washington Nationals southpaw pitcher Ross Detwiler said Tuesday he will join the United States team for the World Baseball Classic in next month's showdown of top global stars.

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter says he expects to be ready for Major League Baseball's Opening Day after recovering from the broken left ankle that ended his 2012 campaign.

President Barack Obama practiced his putting technique with friends in balmy Florida on Saturday under the watchful eye of Butch Harmon, who once coached Tiger Woods.

Milwaukee Brewers star outfielder Ryan Braun and Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera are cooperating with a Major League Baseball investigation into a Florida clinic and banned substances.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera said Friday that he is cooperating with Major League Baseball's probe into a Miami clinic that allegedly gave players performance-enhancing drugs.

Felix Hernandez agreed to terms on a seven-year deal worth $175 million with Seattle on Tuesday that will make the 26-year-old right-hander the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez, set to start for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, denied using performance-enhancing drugs Tuesday as he reported to pre-season training camp.

With questions surrounding injured star Alex Rodriguez and much of the healthy lineup, the New York Yankees reported to pre-season training camp Tuesday in quest of a 28th World Series title.

South Korean outfielder Choo Shin-Soo signed a one-year deal on Monday with the Cincinnati Reds, avoiding a salary arbitration fight with the Major League Baseball club.

Major League Baseball right-handed ace pitcher Justin Verlander said Monday that he has turned down an offer to join the United States team at next month's World Baseball Classic.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Japanese pitching ace who helped Boston to a World Series title before injury derailed his Major League Baseball career, is set to sign a minor-league deal with Cleveland.

Samoa took another step toward retaining their USA Rugby Sevens crown, defeating Scotland 12-5 to book a Cup semi-final showdown with South Africa.

Former Hanshin Tigers closing relief ace Kyuji Fujikawa will officially join his new Chicago Cubs teammates on Sunday when the Major League Baseball club's pitchers and catchers report for pre-season camp.

Defending champions Samoa came from 12-0 behind to beat Spain 19-12 on the opening day of the US stop in the IRB Sevens World Series.

England, which is fresh off its victory at the Wellington Sevens, will face Fiji in their opening match of the USA Sevens, the fifth of nine rounds in the HSBC Sevens World Series.