Baseball Notes: Minoso hailed as pioneer for black Latino players

Friends and family paid tribute Saturday to White Sox star Minnie Minoso at a funeral in Chicago, recalling the strength that enabled baseball's first black Latino player to smile through the hurt of racial taunts as well as his genuine love for his fans.

In a message read out to the crowd, fellow Cuban and White Sox star Alexei Ramirez, who was away for a game, said Minoso's courage paved the way for him and the younger generation of Latino ball players.

"Without Minnie, without his courage to leave Cuba for the major leagues, without his willingness to accept taunts and slights, none of us would be major-leaguers," he said. "... As I take the field today, a Cuban proudly wearing a White Sox jersey, I will do so thinking of Minnie. Thank you, my friend."

The Havana native died March 1. He was believed to be 90.

As the service concluded, an audio recording of Minoso's voice was played into a microphone. His thoughts were with his fans.

"Since I came over here in 1951, you gave me your love, your respect. ... My family and myself again thank you," he said. "I love you and God bless you"

Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers had hoped the tightness felt by the three-time all-star in his triceps during his spring-training debut was nothing to be concerned about.

Instead, an MRI exam late Friday revealed just about the worst news possible.

Darvish has partially torn ligaments in addition to inflammation in his troublesome right elbow, and might need Tommy John surgery.

Daniels said the club would get a second opinion this weekend but indicated surgery may be the preferred option.

Darvish was shut down for the final seven weeks last season with inflammation in the same elbow. He underwent an MRI exam around Thanksgiving that came back clean, and had not experienced any trouble in workouts and bullpen sessions.

He first felt tightness while warming up in the bullpen before Thursday's game against Kansas City, but did not inform anyone before taking the mound. He threw 12 pitches in his only inning, and then informed the Rangers staff of some pain.

Darvish will remain at camp while a second surgeon studies the MRI exam results. If surgery is required, it would likely happen in the next couple of weeks.

That could give Darvish enough time to fully recover before the start of next season.

The news is a significant blow to the Rangers, who are minus prized young infielder Jurickson Profar.

The Kansas City Royals added depth to their starting rotation by signing veteran righthander Chris Young to an incentive-laden, one-year contract.

The 35-year-old Young was 12-9 with a 3.65 ERA for the Mariners last season. He was voted the American League's comeback player of the year after missing most of the previous season because of surgery to correct a nerve issue in his neck and shoulder.

Young said he had interest in other clubs but that he ultimately decided on Kansas City over one other promising offer. He said the fact that the Royals returned nearly their entire American League championship team intact played a big part in that choice.

Jim Harbaugh joined the Oakland Athletics as a guest coach at spring training, but only for a day.

The former coach of the San Francisco 49ers and new coach at Michigan was in full uniform Saturday, including high socks, for the A's. He coached first base for several innings against the Los Angeles Angels at HoHoKam Stadium.