Darvish on 15-day DL

Right-hander Yu Darvish has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Texas Rangers and will miss the All-Star Game next week.

Darvish has a mild strain in his upper back. The move was announced Wednesday and is retroactive to July 6.

Darvish was scheduled to pitch against Baltimore on today, but has been scratched. He’s 8-4 overall, but has won only once in his last nine starts.

Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine says, “At this stage, it’s not something we are really worried about.” He says the injury “was a little more fatigue than anything.”

In a statement, Darvish said, “I don’t think it’s a big issue, but just as a precaution, I’d rather skip a start than push it through.”

Darvish will fly back to Dallas today for further evaluation.

Darvish leads the majors with 157 strikeouts. He has a 3.02 ERA.

Carpenter to throw

Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter is set to make his first minor league rehabilitation start next week.

The former Cy Young winner pitched a three-inning simulated game on Wednesday. St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said Carpenter will start Monday for Double-A Springfield.

Matheny said Carpenter will be limited to a pitch count in the “60s-range” in his first live action since making three starts during the playoffs last year.

Clearing the bases

Ryan Howard had surgery to repair a tear in his left knee. The Phillies’ slugger will miss between six to eight weeks. … The Orioles have activated left-handed starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen from the 15-day disabled list, less than a month after he was sidelined with a right oblique strain. … Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun didn’t start Wednesday to rest his sore right thumb. … The Red Sox added needed depth to their bullpen, calling up right-handers Steven Wright and Pedro Beato. The Red Sox made the moves Wednesday before facing the Seattle Mariners. Boston optioned starter Allen Webster and reliever Alfredo Aceves to their Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket.