It’s taken a little longer than expected, but catcher Tony Sanchez, who was drafted fourth overall by the Pirates in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, thinks his performance on Wednesday night at the Triple-A All-Star Game is a sign of his future.

Propelled by a flurry of early runs against Astros prospect Jarred Cosart, the International League defeated the Pacific Coast League, 4-3, in the Triple-A All-Star Game at Aces Ballpark on Wednesday.

Colby Lewis could not get through the third inning in his rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Wednesday at Dr Pepper Ballpark, but he felt he rebounded well in his first rehab start in nearly two months.

In his first professional at-bat, Marlins first-round Draft pick Colin Moran mashed a home run to right field in his club’s 4-3 victory over Charleston on Wednesday night. He finished 1-for-3 with a walk.

Miguel Perez Quintana, the Spanish play-by-play man for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, intimidation and criminal damage.

According to an industry source, the market is taking shape for Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and the right-hander could sign with a club as early as next week.

One day after the All-Star Game, some prominent local athletes took a swing for society. Neither Ike Davis nor David Robertson were a part of the All-Star Game, but the tandem paired up Wednesday to host a charity golf tournament in relief of Hurricane Sandy.

The 84th All-Star Game will be remembered as the perfect swan song for Mariano Rivera, and it also goes down as the best such exit ever. But a day after the Yankees’ closer received an unforgettable ovation and a Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award, several comparable All-Star Game exits for outgoing greats come to mind.

A total of 14 teams were eligible to win additional picks in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft via the Competitive Balance Lottery on Wednesday. The Rockies received the first pick of Round A, followed by the Orioles, Indians, Marlins, Royals and Brewers.

Alex Rodriguez, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left hip in January, expects to return to the Yankees on Monday in Texas, he said in a radio interview with WFAN’s Mike Francesa on Wednesday.

Nearly 11 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Nationals right-hander Lucas Giolito is back pitching in games.

Mike Dee isn’t just returning to his baseball roots, but to the place where it all started for him — San Diego. On Wednesday, the Padres named Dee their new team president and chief executive officer.

The Dodgers will send Ricky Nolasco to the mound to open the second half against the Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg. Both clubs are aiming for stronger performances after the All-Star break.

An hour-long special, narrated by Bob Costas and featuring some of the great stories coming from Ken “Hawk” Harrelson’s 50 years in baseball, will premiere on MLB Network on Thursday night at 6 p.m. CT.

If they were to stop this baseball season at the midway point, and had done the same each of the previous two seasons, the Pittsburgh Pirates would be making their third consecutive playoff appearance. The Bucs are again stirring up ghosts of their storied past.

Columnist Tracy Ringolsby focuses on key figures for each team in the second half.

Having a strong first-half record helps, but it’s no guarantee of a playoff berth. And as the A’s exemplified last season, it’s likely that at least one team will go on amazing second-half surge to earn a ticket to the postseason dance.