Notes

CUBS

Borbon claimed off waivers

MILWAUKEE - The Chicago Cubs claimed outfielder Julio Borbon off waivers from the Texas Rangers on Friday.

Borbon, 27, spent all of last season with Round Rock, the Rangers’ Class AAA affiliate, where he hit .304 with 23 doubles, 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 133 games. He hit .317 in 32 spring training games for the Rangers this season and went hitless in one regular season at-bat before being designated for assignment on April 9.

“It’s another way to make the organization stronger,” Cubs Manager Dale Sveum said. “He’s an athlete, a left-handed hitter and can play every outfield position. He’s a young guy that’s had big league success already.”

To make room for Borbon on the roster, Chicago designated Alberto Gonzalez for assignment. Gonzalez appeared in 11 games for the Cubs this season, batting .217 (5-for-23).

RANGERS Harrison to have surgery

ARLINGTON, Texas - Texas Rangers opening-day starter Matt Harrison is going to have back surgery and likely will be out of the rotation until after the All-Star break.

The Rangers said Friday that Harrison, on the disabled list because of an inflamed nerve in his back, is scheduled for operation Tuesday to repair a herniated disk.

Harrison said surgery is the “last resort for getting it right.”

An 18-game winner and All-Star last season, Harrison still was having problems after two epidural injections in his back. He flew to Los Angeles last Friday for a second opinion.

The left-hander went 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA as tried to pitch with soreness in his lower back before going on the disabled list. Harrison is in the first season of a $55 million, five-year contract.

ODDS & ENDS

Miami designated reliever John Maine for assignment to the minors before the second game of a series against the Cincinnati Reds. The Marlins called up right-hander Tom Koehler from Triple-A New Orleans on Friday. Manager Mike Redmond said Koehler will fill Maine’s long-relief role. He made three starts for New Orleans and had a 1.06 ERA. Maine pitched two innings during an 11-1 loss to the Reds on Thursday night. He gave up 5 hits, 5 walks and 6 runs. In four appearances covering 71/3 innings this season, Maine had allowed 15 hits, 5 walks and 10 runs. … Chicago White Sox outfielder Dayan Viciedo is undergoing treatment for a strained oblique muscle. Viciedo was injured in Thursday’s game at Toronto, and the team said he is day to day. He clutched his left side after swinging at a 1-0 pitch from Aaron Loup in the eighth inning and left the game. Viciedo is batting .229 with two homers and five RBI. … Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz is day to day after getting hit on the left wrist by a pitch in an extended spring training game Friday. X-rays on his wrist were negative. An All-Star last year, Ruiz is suspended for the first 25 games for testing positive for an amphetamine. Erik Kratz and Humberto Quintero have filled in during his absence. … The Oakland Athletics have reinstated first baseman Brandon Moss from the paternity list and optioned Shane Peterson to Class AAA Sacramento. Moss was batting .283 with 13 RBI in 13 games when he was placed on the list Tuesday for the birth of his second son, Brody. Peterson was recalled from Sacramento on Tuesday and went 1 for 7 with an RBI in two starts at first base.