Dutch pull off second upset to advance  —  Come-from-behind victory in extras eliminates Dominican Republic  —  SAN JUAN, P.R. — The Netherlands pulled off another major upset on Tuesday night, when it came from behind in the 11th inning to beat the Dominican Republic, 2-1, in Game 5 of Pool D play of the World Baseball Classic.

Strong start a ‘sigh of relief’ for Joba  —  Correction of mechanical flaw returns young righty to past form  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The final spot in the Yankees' starting rotation remains Joba Chamberlain's to lose, and a strong performance against the Reds on Tuesday displayed the progress that the organization wanted to see.

Sapp hospitalized following seizures  —  Catching prospect's health issues resurface  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Catching prospect Max Sapp, who suffered a life-threatening illness over the winter, was back in the hospital Wednesday after having two seizures over a nine-hour span.

Cashman ‘not proactive’ in market  —  Yankees' GM foresees few opportunities to deal for third baseman  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Tuesday that he is “not optimistic” about acquiring another third baseman to fill in for Alex Rodriguez, believing his club can play on with what it has.

Rejected nuggets  —  There's another fantastic baseball book available to kick off the baseball season: the Bill James Gold Mine 2009.  This year's Gold Mine follows the same structure as last year's: lots of James' excellent essays on baseball and sabermetrics, as well as 30 individual team sections filled …

Stark On Red Sox Offseason Moves  —  By Cork Gaines [March 10 at 5:47pm CST]  —  In his latest column, Jayson Stark weighs in on the moves the Red Sox made this off-season.  While Boston did not spend nearly as much as the Yankees, their moves have a ton of upside potential and that no team …

Cubs manager Lou Piniella promises spot to Kosuke Fukudome  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Kosuke Fukudome stopped by the Cubs' clubhouse Tuesday before working out with Team Japan in Scottsdale.  —  Though ESPN analyst Steve Phillips recently said manager Lou Piniella mishandled the Japanese outfielder …

Mets like Pudge but . . .  SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Mets assistant general manager Tony Bernazard told a Puerto Rican newspaper the Mets have interest in Ivan Rodriguez, but having two catchers under contract has kept them from pursuing the free-agent catcher.

Spring Game 15: Yankees at Tigers  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching today: Some big lefty, CC something.  Then Aceves, Bruney, Veras, Melancon, Jackson.  —  TIGERS  —  Inge 3B  —  Polanco 2B  —  Sheffield DH  —  Hessman 1B  —  Raburn RF  —  Cleven CF  —  Ramirez LF  —  Laird C  —  Everett SS

Sanchez's exit a chance for others  —  Relievers have better shot as Mets likely to carry seven in bullpen  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Tom Martin carried a glove, a baseball and the boot he had been given to protect his calf as he left the Mets' Spring Training clubhouse Tuesday, not to return until Thursday afternoon.

Schmidt: David game for Fame  —  TORONTO - Mike Schmidt calls himself “a nearly 60-year-old man who's a fan of these young stars and their lives,” so he's been watching David Wright closely in the week or so the two have been together with Team USA.  And Schmidt, perhaps the greatest third baseman …

Rizzo steps up to plate  —  Taming Nationals' disarray is job 1 of acting GM  —  VIERA, Fla. — Mike Rizzo arrives for work every day looking like the most comfortable man around, the events surrounding the Washington Nationals for the past three weeks notwithstanding.

Arbitration, pitch counts now the new barometers for making MLB teams  —  JUPITER, Fla. - It happens every spring, or at least it used to - a highly touted rookie tears it up, drawing rave after rave from opposing scouts, and forces his way onto the opening-day roster to launch a career of stardom.

Offensive woes continue as Tigers lose again  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Tigers failed to get anything going offensively again, mustering just six hits in a 6-2 loss to the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on Tuesday.  Yes, the potential Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5 hitters in the order are playing …

Red Sox agree to terms with 19 players  —  The Red Sox announced that they had signed 19 players on the 40-man roster to contracts for the 2009 season.  The deadline to do so is March 11.  —  Agreeing to terms were pitchers Michael Bowden ($400,000), Clay Buchholz ($413,500), Manny Delcarmen …

Amezaga returns to South Florida from Mexico's team in WBC with stiffness in knee  —  JUPITER — Marlins utility player Alfredo Amezaga returned to South Florida from the World Baseball Classic on Monday after experiencing stiffness in his left knee.  —  Amezaga is expected to be evaluated by team doctors Tuesday.