While on the other side of the planet the World Baseball Classic heads into the second round this weekend at Tokyo Dome, first-round pool play begins in Arizona and Puerto Rico.

The Nats, who had the best record in the Major Leagues last season, have been the talk of baseball all winter and much of this spring. It seems fans will be surprised if they don’t run away with the division.

Three-time Most Valuable Player and nine-time All-Star Albert Pujols will be in the lineup at designated hitter for the Angels on Tuesday, a week ahead of expectations.

The Athletics announced on Tuesday a 20-year agreement with the city of Mesa, Ariz., that will bring the club back to the East Valley city for Spring Training starting in 2015.

Nick Markakis said he will be out at least a few more days, as the O’s right fielder is dealing with neck stiffness that has sidelined him since Sunday.

Ray Chang’s clutch two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning propelled the Chinese to a 5-2 win over Brazil in World Baseball Classic Pool A action on Tuesday in Japan. With the win, China earned an automatic berth in the 2017 Classic.

Orioles prospect Jonathan Schoop blasted a two-run homer to power the Kingdom of the Netherlands past Australia, 4-1, on Tuesday in Taiwan. With the win, the Dutch earned a spot in the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

Thomas Tull grew up 45 minutes from Cooperstown, N.Y., made his first trip to the National Baseball Hall of Fame at the age of 7 and kept the story of Jackie Robinson close to his heart into adulthood. On Monday night, he was presented by Hank Aaron with one of the 2013 ROBIE Awards at the Jackie Robinson Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria.

While the Canadians have Reds first baseman and 2010 National League MVP Joey Votto and plenty of young talent on their side, Justin Morneau is their greatest asset.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars visited the MLB.com office Monday, and they seemed right at home.

To Ryan Vogelsong, baseball remains synonymous with America. That’s more than just a feeling for the Giants right-hander. It’s a conviction.

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson and Reds manager Dusty Baker had a testy discussion when they met at home plate for the exchange of lineup cards prior to Monday’s game.

Bobby Crosby says he’s sorry this story isn’t better, that he wishes he could pinpoint the moment at which he decided to try a comeback. He really can’t even identify the month. It might have been just before Thanksgiving. Anyway, the important thing is that, at 33, Crosby felt compelled to walk off the golf course and back into baseball.

Adrian Beltre’s right calf was tested from all angles on Monday, and it held up just fine in his spring debut — a prospect that bodes well for both the Texas Rangers and the Dominican Republic.

Reds ace Johnny Cueto has looked leaner than he has in past camps, and it’s apparently for good reason.

The results weren’t nearly as crucial as the process for John Danks, who really took his most significant step in his recovery from arthroscopic shoulder surgery with two-plus innings on Monday.

A couple of days after a rumor floated that Tigers manager Jim Leyland was interested in bringing back free-agent closer Jose Valverde, Leyland denied any interest in a reunion with Detroit’s former closer.