MLB Notes: Rangers’ Darvish cleared to make Saturday start

Yu Darvish showed up to the ballpark on Wednesday with his stiff neck feeling much better, and the Texas Rangers were able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing their Japanese ace won’t have to join a long list of teammates on the disabled list.

Darvish was scratched from his start on Tuesday night because of that neck discomfort, but Rangers manager Ron Washington said before a game against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday that the right-hander will start at Washington on Sunday.

Darvish had an MRI on Tuesday that showed there was nothing to be concerned about and he was able to get through a workout at Target Field on Wednesday with no issues.

Darvish is 4-2 with a 2.35 ERA, the fourth best in the league, and has 71 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings. Darvish didn’t pitch for three weeks in spring training because of a stiff neck.

HOF plaques shown

The Baseball Hall of Fame plaques of former sluggers Henry Aaron and Frank Robinson are going on the road for the first time.

The plaques will be on display today in Houston for the baseball and civil rights discussion at Union Station at Minute Maid Park.

They’ll also be on display Friday before the Civil Rights Game that night between the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros.

Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record in 1974 with his 715th round-tripper. Robinson became the first African-American manager in major league history when he took over the Cleveland Indians in 1975.

Zimmerman mends

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is making progress in his recovery from a fractured right thumb, fielding groundballs and taking batting practice before a game against the Miami Marlins.

Zimmerman’s been on the disabled list since April 13, one day after he injured his thumb diving back into second base on a pickoff.

Clearing the bases

Los Angeles Angels reliever Sean Burnett is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow. … Boston put struggling right-hander Clay Buchholz on the 15-day disabled list because of a hyperextended left knee. … Left fielder Carl Crawford was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a sprained left ankle. … Texas activated left-hander Joe Saunders from the 15-day disabled list and claimed right-hander Phil Irwin off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. … Oakland sent minor league righty Ronald Herrera to San Diego to complete the trade for outfielder/first baseman Kyle Blanks.