NL West

It has been all or nothing for the underdog Netherlands national team at the World Baseball Classic.

The World Baseball Classic was thrown a curve ball earlier this week when Puerto Rico shocked the star-studded United States team 4-3, dashing the Americans' hope of reaching the semi-finals.

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.

Nelson Figueroa pitched six shutout innings and Puerto Rico edged the United States 4-3 to claim the last semi-final berth in 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.

The United States and the Dominican Republic both posted come-from-behind victories to win their respective pools and advance to the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

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.

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.

Anthony Rizzo smacked a two-run double in the ninth inning as European champions Italy opened Pool D in the World Baseball Classic with a come-from-behind 6-5 win over Mexico.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Felix Hernandez could walk into Seattle Mariners training camp on Tuesday as the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball, or he might not be there at all, according to US reports.

The Arizona Diamondbacks traded outfielder Justin Upton to the Atlanta Braves in a seven-player Major League Baseball swap announced on Thursday.

Delmon Young, who overcame off-field issues to help power Detroit into last year's World Series, signed a one-year Major League Baseball deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

Sandy Koufax, a Hall of Fame pitcher who played for four World Series champions, was named Tuesday as a special advisor to Los Angeles Dodgers chairman Mark Walter by the Major League Baseball club.

Reigning National League Cy Young award-winner R.A. Dickey and former Most Valuable Players Ryan Braun, Jimmy Rollins and Joe Mauer headline the US provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic.