Saturday’s contest between Nicaragua and the Czech Republic will determine which team will face Mexico on Sunday for a place in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Dodgers slugger Adrian Gonzalez picked up an RBI as Mexico routed Nicaragua, 11-0, on Friday night at Estadio B-Air in Mexicali, Mexico, to earn a spot in Sunday’s qualifier final. The game was halted after seven innings due to the Classic’s mercy rule.

Twins first-base prospect Reynaldo Rodriguez homered and drove in two runs and former D-backs farmhand Karl Lewis Triana struck out eight over six hitless innings as Colombia defeated Panama, 6-3, on Friday night in Panama City to earn a spot in Sunday’s World Baseball Classic Qualifier final.

Could a number change be in the cards?

This is a photo that requires deep study.

Opening Day has always been Michael Brantley’s target date for his return. Up to this point this spring, Indians manager Terry Francona has downplayed that possibility, noting the many hurdles remaining in the left fielder’s comeback from right shoulder surgery. On Friday morning, Francona finally admitted to feeling a bit more optimistic about Brantley’s chances of opening the season with Cleveland.

The regular season may be a few weeks away, but fans can still catch many of the game’s biggest stars each day in Cactus and Grapefruit League exhibitions. Saturday’s spring slate, in particular, is chock full of pitching talent, including a matchup between Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw and the White Sox’s Chris Sale, making his spring debut.

The Yankees have maintained that their plan is to take the best five starters for their rotation, regardless of salary or stature. CC Sabathia believes that he will earn a spot, but the left-hander now has only two Spring Training starts remaining to prove it.

Bronson Arroyo received good news Friday. After an MRI from this week was compared to one from 2014, Arroyo learned that he has an inflamed bursa sac in his right shoulder, according to a source. The Nationals have not confirmed the report.

Entering Friday night’s 11-2 win over the Yankees, Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez had allowed 14 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings over three spring starts, calling into question his hold on a rotation spot.

Although he had made three other appearances this spring, Friday night was Lucas Giolito’s first Grapefruit League start. And the Nationals’ top prospect did his best to treat it like a regular-season start.

Andrew Susac came to Giants camp looking to put behind him the issues with his right wrist that led to surgery last September, and until Monday he was moving right along in that direction. But a check swing in that night’s game has become a speed bump along the way to Opening Day.

Bartolo Colon’s third Spring Training start didn’t go as planned. Colon was hit hard over five innings in a 12-7 loss Friday night to the Nationals. He gave up eight runs on nine hits, including three home runs.

When Reds third baseman Adam Duvall connected for a long, first-inning home run off Chase Anderson on Friday, it marked the fourth home run the Brewers right-hander had allowed in the span of five spring innings.

Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier is day to day with a contusion after fouling a pitch off his lower right leg in Friday’s 11-8 loss to the D-backs.

In each of his past six Cactus League starts, Jon Jay has been penciled into the Padres’ starting lineup as their leadoff man and center fielder. Don’t expect that to change when the regular season rolls around.

David Wright made his much anticipated Grapefruit League debut in Friday’s 12-7 loss to the Nationals. He didn’t disappoint, slapping the first pitch he saw from Nationals starter Lucas Giolito into right field for a single.