Dominican Republic and its fans electrify World Baseball Classic  —  SANTO DOMINGO NORTH - That's what this was, the capital of the Dominican Republic relocated to Miami, the closest major city in the United States.  —  The crowd of 37,446 - the largest for baseball in the five-year history …

Ian Desmond Suffers Left Hand Fracture  —  Rockies first baseman Ian Desmond suffered a fracture in his left hand, the club announced to reporters (including MLB.com's Thomas Harding).  Desmond was hit by a pitch from the Reds' Rookie Davis during the fourth inning of today's Spring Training contest between …

Nationals place Derek Norris on waivers  —  Derek Norris, who lost his starting catching job with the Washington Nationals due to the late signing of Matt Wieters, has been placed on waivers by Washington.  —  There is no likelihood anyone would claim him and take his $4.2-million salary at this stage …

Rafael Montero, once Mets' top starting pitching prospect, could find himself in long relief  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Rafael Montero sat at his locker in the Mets spring training clubhouse texting and checking social media on his phone last week.  Just to his left, in front of their row of lockers …

Anthony DeSclafani's elbow soreness returns, likely to start on DL  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — After his bullpen session Friday, Cincinnati Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani felt a recurrence of the elbow soreness that forced him to miss a week earlier in spring and is again shut down from throwing.

Tyler Thornburg endures rough adjustment to Sox' shoulder program  —  FORT MYERS — Chris Sale is as good as advertised, as he displayed in dominating fashion yesterday.  —  But what happened to Tyler Thornburg, the new right-hander from Milwaukee who was slated to be the second-most dominating …

Phillies, Mariners Swap Joey Curletta, Pat Venditte  —  The Phillies have traded outfielder Joey Curletta to the Mariners for ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte, per an announcement from Philadelphia.  —  This is the second trade since last August involving the 31-year-old Venditte …

Yadier Molina blasts MLB over security for families at WBC  —  JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina blasted Major League Baseball's security arrangements for the families of players at the World Baseball Classic in Mexico.  —  “MLB,,, its a shame that you are more interested …

Phillies' Vince Velasquez: 'Me and umpires just don't get along'  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. - Vince Velasquez, unhappy with another close pitch that was called a ball, covered his mouth and coughed.  Always a fierce competitor, the Phillies righthander thought he had twice struck out Kevin Pillar …

Pirates' Jung Ho Kang placed on restricted list as he awaits visa  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The probability third baseman Jung Ho Kang will play for the Pirates on opening day continues to plummet.  On Friday, a week after receiving a suspended sentence for his third DUI in South Korea, Kang was placed on the major league restricted list.