Brazil used a trio of stellar pitching performances to claim a thrilling 1-0 victory over Panama on Monday night at Rod Carew National Stadium to earn an improbable bid to the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

One thing that makes GIBBYs trophies the ultimate honor of Major League Baseball’s awards season is the breadth of expert perspective that decides them.

One thing that makes GIBBYs trophies the ultimate honor of Major League Baseball’s awards season is the breadth of expert perspective that decides them.

The Dodgers were one of several clubs that met with Japanese free-agent reliever Kyuji Fujikawa over the weekend, according to numerous reports in Japanese media.

The Dodgers were one of several clubs that met with Japanese free-agent reliever Kyuji Fujikawa over the weekend, according to numerous reports in Japanese media.

Bud Black, the second-longest tenured manager in Padres history, had the club options on his contract for the 2014 and 2015 seasons exercised Monday.

It’s been an interesting year for Orioles prospect Mike Belfiore — who was traded midseason from Arizona to Baltimore — as the 24-year-old lefty excelled in his first taste of Double-A and continued to impress in the recently wrapped Arizona Fall League.

It’s been an interesting year for Orioles prospect Mike Belfiore — who was traded midseason from Arizona to Baltimore — as the 24-year-old lefty excelled in his first taste of Double-A and continued to impress in the recently wrapped Arizona Fall League.

Anthony Vasquez beat some long odds once already by reaching the Major Leagues for a brief stint as a starter with the Mariners in 2011, but the youngster won a far bigger battle over the weekend when he came out of emergency brain surgery in Phoenix with his life still intact.

Anthony Vasquez beat some long odds once already by reaching the Major Leagues for a brief stint as a starter with the Mariners in 2011, but the youngster won a far bigger battle over the weekend when he came out of emergency brain surgery in Phoenix with his life still intact.

The New York Mets will open their Spring Training schedule on Feb. 23 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Due to the return of the World Baseball Classic, the Mets will begin Grapefruit League play about a week earlier than in most other years.

The New York Mets will open their Spring Training schedule on Feb. 23 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Due to the return of the World Baseball Classic, the Mets will begin Grapefruit League play about a week earlier than in most other years.

Trading away popular, high-priced players has ramifications. Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest has heard the backlash, and he is aware that the organization faces challenges to appeal to Giancarlo Stanton, potential free-agent targets and South Florida baseball fans.

The Orioles announced Monday that they have named Matt Haas as national crosschecker. Haas, 40, joins the Orioles’ organization after four years as a regional crosschecker for the Marlins.

The Orioles announced Monday that they have named Matt Haas as national crosschecker. Haas, 40, joins the Orioles’ organization after four years as a regional crosschecker for the Marlins.

The Cardinals already whittled their list of arbitration-eligible players to five by releasing Kyle McClellan last Tuesday. Now, the organization has until 10:59 p.m. CT on Nov. 30 to tender contracts to those other five — reliever Mitchell Boggs, closer Jason Motte, reliever Edward Mujica, third baseman David Freese and reliever Marc Rzepczynski.

The Cardinals already whittled their list of arbitration-eligible players to five by releasing Kyle McClellan last Tuesday. Now, the organization has until 10:59 p.m. CT on Nov. 30 to tender contracts to those other five — reliever Mitchell Boggs, closer Jason Motte, reliever Edward Mujica, third baseman David Freese and reliever Marc Rzepczynski.