Kevin Cash knows how important a good coach can be for a Little Leaguer. So the Rays’ new manager was more than happy to participate in Saturday’s clinic at Tropicana Field in order to help instruct Little League T-ball teams from Charlotte, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties.

The Pirates got the decision in their first of three arbitration hearings this month when the three-member panel that heard the case on Friday ruled Saturday in the club’s favor over second baseman Neil Walker.

Major League Baseball is moving toward changing the criteria for awarding All-Star Games, new Commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN. He intends to change from a system in which the Midsummer Classics were typically alternated between the leagues.

The Reds added to their bullpen mix on Saturday, signing right-hander Burke Badenhop to a one-year Major League contract and agreeing with veteran Kevin Gregg on a Minor League deal, the club announced.

The first pitch to Oswaldo Arcia from Mexico’s Manny Barreda in the eighth inning on Friday was high and outside, and so far out of the strike zone that the Venezuelan outfielder didn’t even flinch in the batter’s box.

The A’s have won their arbitration case against Jarrod Parker, with the right-hander set to make $850,000 this season, according to CBS Sports. Parker, who missed all of 2014 because of Tommy John surgery, filed for $1.7 million.

In his first game as the manager of the Oakland A’s on June 9, 2011, Bob Melvin posted a lineup card with Coco Crisp hitting leadoff. That hasn’t changed since. Everything else about the A’s roster, however, has. Crisp is the only remaining player from Melvin’s first day on the job.

Caribbean Series host Puerto Rico was officially eliminated from contention on Thursday, but that didn’t prevent the club from going out on a high note with a 3-2 walk-off win over the rival Dominican Republic on Friday night in San Juan.

The Padres certainly have plenty of rotation options returning for 2015, but maybe no other starting pitcher had the best bang-for-buck return last season than 27-year-old rookie Odrisamer Despaigne.

How the Mets plan to utilize right-hander Matt Harvey, more than a year removed from Tommy John surgery, going forward will be a situation to monitor as the regular season draws near, according to MLB Network’s Chris Russo.

Matt Cain was mostly upbeat Friday about his recoveries from right elbow surgery, which limited him to 15 starts last year, and a minor procedure on his right ankle.

The Giants will enter Spring Training with seven pitchers — all contributors to a championship run — in the mix for the starting rotation. And, for right now, that means the Giants will be doing their utmost to get all seven prepared for the regular season.

Madison Bumgarner’s indication that his arm felt normal provided optimism on the eve of FanFest, as nearly 30 players conducted interviews at AT&T Park.

The Yankees, who remain a favorite landing spot for Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada, appear to be steering clear of the bidding for James Shields. “The dialogue always continues, but the heavy lifting for right now is over,” general manager Brian Cashman said Friday. “We’re anxious to get to Spring Training to see what we’ve got.”

Veteran catcher Jose Molina, a free agent, reportedly needs knee surgery that will keep him off the field for a while.

Indians pitching prospect Justus Sheffield has pleaded guilty to underage drinking and a reduced charge of aggravated criminal tresspass, according to multiple reports. The charges stemmed from an incident last month in Tullahoma, Tenn.

Will the White Sox miss having Dayan Viciedo on the team? Will the club make any more moves? Beat reporter Scott Merkin answers these questions and more in the latest Inbox.