Baseball

This week's acquisition of outfielders Brennan Boesch and Ben Francisco, recently released from their respective squads, means only one thing concerning the New York Yankees' attempts to improve their roster: They continue to be content with picking from the scrap heap rather than trusting  their young upcoming prospects. 

On Friday, the New York Yankees made another move to their roster for 2013.

With Adrian Gonzalez entering his first full season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a lot is expected out of the first baseman going into 2013.

Day 14 at the 2013 World Baseball Classic featured one monumental showdown in Miami. The United States and Puerto Rico went head to head in an elimination game. 

With a spot in the World Baseball Classic semifinals on the line, Puerto Rico shut down the United States early and held on late for a shocking 4-3 win on Friday night.

38-year-old journeyman Nelson Figueroa completely baffled the Americans, holding them to just two hits and one walk through six scoreless innings, striking out two in the process. 

Puerto Rico took the early lead in the first inning when Mike Aviles singled home Angel Pagan off starter Ryan Vogelsong.

Ichiro Suzuki is the greatest Japanese baseball player to ever play in the United States.

Before we get into this, let's take a brief look at some of the storylines for the New York Yankees going into 2013.

Dan Uggla's struggles are no secret for Atlanta Braves fans.

Hitting .227 with 55 home runs and 160 RBI in his two years with the Braves, Uggla hasn't exactly lived up to his five-year, $62-million contract.

Which raises the question: How long of a leash does Uggla have this year?

The Boston Red Sox got closer to finalizing their regular-season roster on Friday, when they decided the fate of their top-two pitching prospects, sending Allen Webster and Rubby De La Rosa to the minors.

The story was first reported in a tweet by the Providence Journal’s Tim Britton:

David Wright could be out for the rest of the World Baseball Classic with sore ribs, and Team USA officials already have the perfect replacement and another great young third baseman on their radar in Chase Headley of the San Diego Padres.

USA defeated Puerto Rico in the second round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, 7-1.

The Americans got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. After 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun walked with two outs, catcher Joe Mauer doubled to center field to drive him home.