Bases-loaded walk in 2nd, RBI infield single in 10th lead to victory  —  SEOUL, South Korea — The 2017 World Baseball Classic began in dramatic fashion on Monday, with Israel beating Pool A host Korea, 2-1, in 10 innings in the tournament's opening game.  —  With MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred …

The Yankees are putting Rob Refsnyder on trade block  —  More On:  —  TAMPA — According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Yankees have let clubs know they are willing to listen to trade offers for infielder/outfielder Rob Refsnyder.  —  Refsnyder, who turns 26 this month …

Red Sox backing off Tyler Thornburg for the time being  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox are backing off Tyler Thornburg this week as the reliever is battling both his mechanics and what he called “a dead-arm period.”  —  “I've thrown a lot of pitches in both outings …

Reds Claim Christian Walker, Designate Jumbo Diaz For Assignment  —  The Reds have claimed first baseman Christian Walker off waivers from the Braves and designated right-hander Jumbo Diaz for assignment in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, tweets Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Rookie Davis no longer shy about leaning on vets  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Rookie Davis and Bronson Arroyo shared a connection before they shared a clubhouse at the Cincinnati Reds' spring training complex.  More than a decade apart, they were signed out of the draft by the same scout, Scott Lovekamp.

Sources: Cardinals-Pirates in play for game at Williamsport, Pa.  —  • As a first baseman/pitcher for a little league team out of Texas, the 11-year-old was already showing the kind of power that would make him a first-round pick — even with fences that now seem a short throw away.

Jon Lester still in feeling-out phase with Willson Contreras as his catcher  —  Cubs pitcher Jon Lester reacts after his Cactus League debut on Sunday, March 5, 2017.  (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The new baby's name is Cy Elizabeth Lester.  The new catcher's name is Willson Contreras.

An old friend and rival offers a Bird's-eye view of Magic Johnson's new Lakers gig  —  Magic Johnson and Larry Bird share a laugh before the premiere of the stage play “Magic and Larry” on April 11, 2012.  (Walter McBride / Corbis via Getty Images)  —  One San Diego edition of the enduring debate …

Matt Patricia's ‘clowning’ not seen as deterrent to hiring by league's execs  —  The moment Matt Patricia walked off the plane from Houston following the Patriots' epic win in Super Bowl LI sporting a Roger Goodell clown T-shirt, several things came to mind.