Notes

RANGERS Darvish won’t start

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Yu Darvish will miss his scheduled start in Monday’s season opener, leaving the already injury-riddled Texas Rangers without their ace.

Darvish said through his interpreter Tuesday that he knew he wasn’t going to be ready to pitch in the opener at home against Philadelphia because of neck stiffness.

The announcement came a day after Darvish stopped throwing while playing catch.

Darvish was initially scratched from starting a minor league spring training game Friday. He said then that he had stiffness in his neck that he felt after waking up one morning, and repeated again Tuesday that the problem was from sleeping wrong.

Darvish is scheduled to return to Texas to be examined by spine and back specialist Drew Dossett.

The Rangers will then determine what to do next, including the possibility of Darvish going on the disabled list. A move to the disabled list could be backdated and allow him to be eligible for a return only a week into the season.

It was the third day in the row the Rangers received significantly bad injury news.

On Sunday, the team found out prized prospect and expected everyday second baseman Jurickson Profar will miss 10 to 12 weeks with a muscle tear in his right shoulder. Then it was announced Monday that catcher Geovany Soto is expected out about the same amount of time with a muscle tear in his right knee.

The Rangers, who last season missed the playoffs for the first time in four years, already knew they would be starting the season without left-handers Matt Harrison (back) and Derek Holland (microfracture knee surgery) in the rotation. Harrison could be back by mid-April.

The Rangers also have sent former All-Star closer Neftali Feliz to the minor leagues.

Feliz, the closer for the Rangers when they went to their only World Series in 2010 and 2011, was optioned Tuesday to Class AAA Round Rock.

Texas also added right-hander Daniel McCutchen from its minor league camp as a non-roster invitee and signed catcher Chris Snyder to a minor league contract with an invitation to the major league camp. Left-handers Rafael Perez and Aaron Poreda were assigned to Round Rock.

The Rangers made Feliz a starter in 2012. He was 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 8 games before having Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.

A reliever again, Feliz was given a chance to compete for the closer role this spring, but Joakim Soria won that job.

PHILLIES Galvis back after illness

TAMPA, Fla. - Infielder Freddy Galvis visited the Philadelphia Phillies’ clubhouse Tuesday for the first time since he was hospitalized with a MRSA infection last week.

Galvis was warmly greeted by teammates before they left for Tampa and Tuesday night’s game against the New York Yankees.

Last week, the team said Galvis was hospitalized with a staph infection after he had an abscess removed from his left knee. Tests revealed that Galvis had contracted MRSA, an infection that is resistant to antibiotics.

ROYALS Royals pick up Schuster

SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Kansas City Royals have plucked left-handed pitcher Patrick Schuster off waivers from the San Diego Padres.

The Royals also sent catcher Adam Moore to the Padres on Tuesday for cash considerations.

Schuster, who has not pitched above Class A, was placed on the 40-man major-league roster. To clear roster space for Schuster, the Royals designated for assignment outfielder Carlos Peguero.

Schuster, 23, had a 1.83 ERA in 55 games last year for Visalia in the California League. He struck out 45, allowed 30 hits, and walked 18 in 441/3 innings.

YANKEES Pineda tapped as starter

TAMPA, Fla. - Michael Pineda will be the New York Yankees’ fifth starter.

Manager Joe Girardi announced the decision before Tuesday night’s game against Philadelphia.

Pineda, who missed the past two seasons after right shoulder surgery, beat out David Phelps, Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno.

Pineda has given up 3 runs and struck out 16 over 15 innings in 4 games.

Girardi said Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka will make his major-league debut April 4 at Toronto. CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Ivan Nova are scheduled to start the opening series at Houston next week.

Jacoby Ellsbury, sidelined the past 1½ weeks by right calf tightness, resumed playing and went 1 for 4 with 2 walks as the designated hitter in a minor-league intrasquad game. He had an RBI single and struck out once.

Ellsbury expects to be ready for Tuesday’s opener.

METS Harvey’s rehab in 2 places

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The New York Mets and Matt Harvey have agreed where the pitcher will rehabilitate from elbow ligament-replacement surgery.

General Manager Sandy Alderson said Tuesday the right-hander will be with the team in New York during home stands and work at the team’s spring training complex in Port St. Lucie when the Mets are on the road.

“About the first of June, when he’s about ready to get on the mound, he will come down to Florida and be here more or less full time with occasional trips back to New York,” Alderson said. “I think he’s happy with that arrangement. We’re happy with that arrangement. We think it will work well so we’re going to go ahead on that basis.”

New York also announced it paid Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is at spring training with a minor league contract, $100,000 to retain him. The team had to decide by noon whether to inform the pitcher he will make the opening day roster, pay him $100,000 to keep him on a minor league deal or release him.

Since arriving in camp in February, Harvey has been adamant he would rehabilitate in New York rather than Port St. Lucie.

The issue of where a player can be directed to rehabilitate arose in 2000, when Carlos Beltran had a bone bruise, the Kansas City Royals ordered him to report for rehab at their spring training facility in Haines City, Fla., and he refused. The Royals suspended him without pay, the players’ association filed a grievance and the case settled without a decision.

Tuesday’s results Minnesota 4, Baltimore 1 Atlanta 12, Detroit 3 Boston 4, Tampa Bay 2 Washington 7, NY Mets 3 Miami 6, St. Louis 5 Pittsburgh 22, Toronto 5 Colorado 4, Chicago White Sox 1 Texas 5, Cleveland 0 Oakland 8, Cincinnati 4 San Francisco 5, Milwaukee 4 LA Angels 8, Chicago Cubs (ss) 4 Philadelphia 6, NY Yankees 0 Seattle vs. Kansas City, (n) Chicago Cubs (ss) vs. San Diego, (n)