There is no question that Rays closer Fernando Rodney has been one of the top performers in this year’s World Baseball Classic. The right-hander has saved five of the Dominican Republic’s six wins in the tournament, allowing just one hit and no runs over 5 1/3 innings of work. But can it be too much of a good thing?

Mike Redmond had Giancarlo Stanton back in the lineup Sunday, batting third, for the first time since the United States was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic.

Dodgers starter Zack Greinke threw a 38-pitch bullpen session Sunday, a week after being shut down with right elbow soreness.

Bryce Harper, who initially turned down an invitation to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic to prepare for his first Major League Opening Day, volunteered to replace David Wright after the Mets’ star was injured.

Bryce Harper, who initially turned down an invitation to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic to prepare for his first Major League Opening Day, volunteered to replace David Wright after the Mets’ star was injured.

Ian Kennedy was struck by a hard ground ball off the back of Padres prospect Jedd Gyorko, and was diagnosed after the game with a contusion near his left knee.

For a team with a $200 million-plus payroll, the Dodgers sure do have a lot of unsettled business at this late stage of the spring.

Tony Pena is perfectly happy in his role as bench coach for the New York Yankees. If any Major League team is interested, however, Pena would like a second chance to manage in the big leagues.

Two days after driving in the go-ahead run in the Dominican Republic’s 3-1 victory over Team USA, Dominican shortstop Erick Aybar made another big-time play in Saturday’s World Baseball Classic second-round game against Puerto Rico at Marlins Park.

After playing two games in less than 24 hours, Puerto Rico is flying across the country to San Francisco, where it will face two-time World Baseball Classic champions Japan on Sunday in a semifinal matchup at AT&T Park.

Carlos Santana homered to lead off the fifth and left-hander Wandy Rodriguez pitched six innings of two-hit ball to earn the win as the Dominican Republic topped Puerto Rico, 2-0, on Saturday.

Angel Pagan, center fielder for the San Francisco Giants, will be manning his position for Puerto Rico on Sunday night at AT&T Park in a World Baseball Classic matchup with Japan.

Kirk Gibson and the D-backs hope that Cody Ross will be ready for Opening Day as he recovers from an injury sustained March 3, but the manager knows he has options if the outfielder starts on the disabled list.

Robinson Cano was named the Most Valuable Player of the second round of the World Baseball Classic at Marlins Park on Saturday, just like he won the award in the opening set of games last week in Puerto Rico.

Carlos Santana broke open a shutout at the World Baseball Classic on Saturday with a long home run, propelling the Dominican Republic to what became a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico. Santana’s home run helped the D.R. earn the top seed from its bracket in the semifinals. Puerto Rico is the second seed out of Pool 2.

The fact that Cole Hamels will be the Phillies’ starter on Opening Night in Atlanta says a lot about how well he pitched in 2012. It also is a reminder that two-time Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay, who turns 36 in May, is coming off a down season.

Wandy Rodriguez tossed six scoreless innings Saturday to help lift the Dominican Republic to a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico and the top seed in Pool 2.