In an ideal world, Albert Pujols would’ve played for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic this spring. But clearly, he needed to be with the Angels to recover from offseason surgery on his right knee. And even if he wanted to take part, Classic officials wouldn’t have secured his contract anyway.

Carl Crawford made his long-awaited Cactus League debut for the Dodgers on Sunday, going 0-for-3 as the designated hitter in the club’s split-squad game at home against the Brewers.

Hyun-Jin Ryu’s dominant start Sunday was good timing for the Dodgers, who now are dealing with minor ailments for Chad Billingsley and Josh Beckett, not to mention the goal of getting Zack Greinke back into a game.

Third baseman Chase Headley left Sunday’s split-squad game against the Angels with what Padres officials are calling a jammed left thumb.

Third baseman Chase Headley left Sunday’s split-squad game against the Angels with what Padres officials are calling a jammed left thumb.

The Phillies were hoping that ace right-hander Roy Halladay would pitch well enough against the Orioles on Sunday to prove that his previous start, in which he gave up six runs in 2 2/3 innings, was nothing to worry about. He never had a chance. Halladay left the game at Bright House Field after one inning with what was described as a stomach virus.

The Phillies were hoping that ace right-hander Roy Halladay would pitch well enough against the Orioles on Sunday to prove that his previous start, in which he gave up six runs in 2 2/3 innings, was nothing to worry about. He never had a chance. Halladay left the game at Bright House Field after one inning with what was described as a stomach virus.

Preparing for and participating in the World Baseball Classic didn’t leave Ryan Vogelsong and Jeremy Affeldt just in midseason form. They almost felt as if they were in postseason form.

Preparing for and participating in the World Baseball Classic didn’t leave Ryan Vogelsong and Jeremy Affeldt just in midseason form. They almost felt as if they were in postseason form.

The Giants’ catcher steps into the batter’s box at AT&T Park for a nighttime batting-practice session. The repeated sounds of bat and ball colliding violently cause reporters to turn their heads to watch each shot streak over the right-field wall. No, his name isn’t Buster Posey.

The Giants’ catcher steps into the batter’s box at AT&T Park for a nighttime batting-practice session. The repeated sounds of bat and ball colliding violently cause reporters to turn their heads to watch each shot streak over the right-field wall. No, his name isn’t Buster Posey.

Manager John Farrell had a little smile Sunday morning when he was asked if outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.’s left-handed bat might make sense if the Red Sox head north without Stephen Drew and David Ortiz.

Manager John Farrell had a little smile Sunday morning when he was asked if outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.’s left-handed bat might make sense if the Red Sox head north without Stephen Drew and David Ortiz.

The inspiration — namely, the woman who shot a Major Leaguer in her hotel room — behind the movie, “The Natural,” has died. Ruth Ann Steinhagen, a crazed Cubs fan who baited Phillies first baseman Eddie Waitkus into meeting with her in 1949, actually passed away in December.

The inspiration — namely, the woman who shot a Major Leaguer in her hotel room — behind the movie, “The Natural,” has died. Ruth Ann Steinhagen, a crazed Cubs fan who baited Phillies first baseman Eddie Waitkus into meeting with her in 1949, actually passed away in December.

Though members of both teams have tried to play it down, the Dominican Republic-Kingdom of the Netherlands grudge match in the semifinals on Monday night at AT&T Park has become one of the most talked about clashes in this year’s World Baseball Classic.

Though members of both teams have tried to play it down, the Dominican Republic-Kingdom of the Netherlands grudge match in the semifinals on Monday night at AT&T Park has become one of the most talked about clashes in this year’s World Baseball Classic.