Four advance scouts for Taiwan reportedly sneaked into one of South Korea’s practice games by posing as umpire trainees, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap News.

Four advance scouts for Taiwan reportedly sneaked into one of South Korea’s practice games by posing as umpire trainees, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap News.

When the Pirates bus Saturday morning to Port Charlotte to engage the Tampa Bay Rays in their Grapefruit League opener, it will be the first preview of their new look. It will not, however, offer a first look at what manager Clint Hurdle is hoping becomes a fixture: Pedro Alvarez in the cleanup spot, as the centerpiece of a deep lineup.

When the Pirates bus Saturday morning to Port Charlotte to engage the Tampa Bay Rays in their Grapefruit League opener, it will be the first preview of their new look. It will not, however, offer a first look at what manager Clint Hurdle is hoping becomes a fixture: Pedro Alvarez in the cleanup spot, as the centerpiece of a deep lineup.

Jerome Williams (at home against the Cubs) and Brad Mills (in Scottsdale against the Giants) will start each of the split-squad games that will open up the Angels’ Cactus League schedule on Saturday. Don’t expect to see any of the five rotation members until March 1.

Jerome Williams (at home against the Cubs) and Brad Mills (in Scottsdale against the Giants) will start each of the split-squad games that will open up the Angels’ Cactus League schedule on Saturday. Don’t expect to see any of the five rotation members until March 1.

While Roger Clemens has taken a more prominent role in the organization as a special assistant to general manager Jeff Luhnow and Craig Biggio remains active with the team, the club is hoping to one day get Jeff Bagwell back in the fold.

While Roger Clemens has taken a more prominent role in the organization as a special assistant to general manager Jeff Luhnow and Craig Biggio remains active with the team, the club is hoping to one day get Jeff Bagwell back in the fold.

Every now and again, Ryan Braun says, he settles under a fly ball in left field and hears screaming from his left. It’s center fielder Carlos Gomez.

Every now and again, Ryan Braun says, he settles under a fly ball in left field and hears screaming from his left. It’s center fielder Carlos Gomez.

It is always difficult to replace key players who leave via free agency, trades or retirement, and teams have their own ways of going through that process to prepare for the following season. Some teams stayed in house in 2013 — such as the Rangers and Rays — and some compensate through big offseason moves — such as the Braves and Angels.

It is always difficult to replace key players who leave via free agency, trades or retirement, and teams have their own ways of going through that process to prepare for the following season. Some teams stayed in house in 2013 — such as the Rangers and Rays — and some compensate through big offseason moves — such as the Braves and Angels.

Players become so associated with certain teams at certain points in their careers that it becomes jarring to see them in another team’s uniform — especially a rival’s — but that is exactly what Josh Hamilton, Kevin Youkilis and many others will be experiencing this Spring Training.

Players become so associated with certain teams at certain points in their careers that it becomes jarring to see them in another team’s uniform — especially a rival’s — but that is exactly what Josh Hamilton, Kevin Youkilis and many others will be experiencing this Spring Training.

Former Major League infielder and Louisiana State quarterback Josh Booty was named the winner of “The Next Knuckler,” MLB Network’s first reality series competition, Thursday evening. The victory earns Booty a non-roster invitation to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training camp, to which he’ll report Friday.

Former Major League infielder and Louisiana State quarterback Josh Booty was named the winner of “The Next Knuckler,” MLB Network’s first reality series competition, Thursday evening. The victory earns Booty a non-roster invitation to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Spring Training camp, to which he’ll report Friday.

Final rosters for all 16 teams competing in the upcoming World Baseball Classic were released late Thursday with a bevy of big-name Major Leaguers committing to the third edition of the international tournament.