American League (MLB)

Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was told by the Cleveland Indians on Monday that he will not be on the roster for the team's Major League Baseball season opener on April 2 at Toronto.

A Japanese squad powered by domestic league players and without Major League Baseball talent is in position to bring a third consecutive World Baseball Classic crown back home to Asia.

The star-studded United States and Dominican Republic lineups advanced to a Thursday showdown for a semi-final berth in the World Baseball Classic with second-round triumphs.

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano homered and scored the go-ahead run to rally the Dominican Republic over Italy 5-4 on Tuesday in the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

Former Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez has joined Taiwanese outfit EDA Rhinos in a major boost to the island's favourite sport.

Ace Taiwanese pitcher Chien-ming Wang Monday said he hoped to return to the US major leagues, denying reports he is mulling a deal to play in Japan.

Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic booked berths in the second round of the World Baseball Classic while Canada battled its way past Mexico in a game marred by a ninth-inning brawl.

Angel Pagan went three-for-five as Puerto Rico booked a berth in the second round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic with a 6-3 victory over favoured Venezuela.

Michael Saunders went 4-for-4 and Justin Morneau drove in three runs as Canada routed Mexico 10-3 Saturday in a first-round World Baseball Classic game that included a ninth-inning brawl.

New York Yankees closing relief pitcher Mariano Rivera, Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader with 608, said Saturday that he will retire after the 2013 season.

Carlos Santana smacked a home run and Robinson Cano went 3-for-5 to spark the Dominican Republic over Spain 6-3 on Saturday in a Group C first-round matchup at the World Baseball Classic.

Adrian Gonzalez blasted a home run and drove in three runs as Mexico shocked the United States 5-2 in a stunning first-round upset at the World Baseball Classic.

New York Yankees ace relief pitcher Mariano Rivera, Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader, plans to announce this weekend that this will be his last season, the New York Post reported Thursday.

New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira will miss eight to 10 weeks with a right wrist strain suffered with the US World Baseball Classic team, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday.

Ray Chang hailed the biggest hit of his life after his two-run single secured China's win over Brazil and a spot in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, a result which looks set to boost the sport in the country.

New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is out of the World Baseball Classic after suffering a strained right forearm during Team USA's batting practice on Tuesday.

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.

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.

Michael Jordan, the basketball superstar who won six NBA crowns and boosted the sport's worldwide appeal, celebrates his 50th birthday on Sunday with a powerful legacy 10 years after his final game.

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.