Baseball Notes: Verlander to open season on DL

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is headed to the disabled list for the first time in his major- league career.

The Tigers said Thursday the 32-year-old righthander won't be on the active roster for the opener Monday against Minnesota because of tightness in his right triceps. He was scratched from his Thursday start and no timetable has been announced for when he will pitch again.

"I don't think this is going to be a long-term issue," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "After throwing yesterday, he said he felt as good or better today."

Detroit will make his DL stint retroactive, making it possible the six-time all-star could start the sixth game of the season, on April 12 at Cleveland.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said a decision on possible discipline against Los Angeles Angels star Josh Hamilton likely will happen after opening day.

Manfred had been hoping for a decision before the Angels start play Monday at Seattle.

Hamilton has had a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, and has been suspended in the past. The Angels said Hamilton met with baseball officials last month, but neither side provided details.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Arodys Vizcaino has been suspended 80 games after a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol.

The suspension was announced by Major League Baseball three days after the Braves optioned the 24-year-old righthander to triple-A Gwinnett.

Major League Baseball and its teams will conduct an Autism Awareness campaign this season.

Each club selected a home game as part of the effort, which will be joined by the advocacy organization Austism Speaks.

The Milwaukee Brewers traded minor-league first baseman Hunter Morris to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named. Morris, 26, hit .279 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs in triple A last season. - Associated Press