Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

April 2 (The Sports Xchange) - Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander is headed to the disabled list to start the season because of pain in his right triceps. It is the first DL stint for the 32-year-old Verlander in his 10-year career. Manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday that Verlander, a six-time All-Star and winner of the MVP and Cy Young awards in 2011, could return to start as soon as April 12. Last season, Verlander finished 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA and 159 strikeouts. --- Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey will start the season on the disabled list while he continues his recovery from flexor tendon surgery in September. Bailey worked five innings in a minor league game on Wednesday and gave up five earned runs and six hits, but had no issues with the elbow and will next pitch in another minor league game on April 6. The Reds are hoping for a return to the club by the middle of April for the 28-year-old Bailey, who signed a $105 million contract extension in 2014 and posted a 9-5 record with a 3.71 ERA before the injury last season. --- The New York Mets signed center fielder Juan Lagares to a four-year, $23 million contract extension that covers all arbitration years and includes a team option for the fifth year. Lagares, who won a Gold Glove in center field for the Mets last season, hit .281 with four home runs and 47 RBIs in 2014. --- Oakland Athletics outfielder Coco Crisp could miss 6-8 weeks if he opts for surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the arthroscopic procedure would also remove bone chip fragments. If he is sidelined, the A's would be without two starting outfielders to open the season as Josh Reddick is sidelined with a strained oblique. --- The Boston Red Sox optioned outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo to Triple-A Pawtucket before an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins. Bradley opened the 2014 season as Boston's starting center fielder, but the Red Sox are set in the outfield this year with Hanley Ramirez in left, Mookie Betts in center, Shane Victorino in right and backups Allen Craig and Daniel Nava. Castillo, a top Cuban prospect, signed a $72.5 million contract with the Red Sox during the offseason and could be recalled from the minors relatively quickly. --- The New York Yankees acquired infielder Gregorio Petit from the Houston Astros in exchange for cash considerations. The Yankees also announced that shortstop Brendan Ryan has a Grade 2 right calf strain that he suffered while pursuing a ball hit up the middle during Wednesday's exhibition game. It's unknown how long Ryan might be out. Last season with Houston, Petit batted .278 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 37 games. --- Atlanta Braves minor-league pitcher Arodys Vizcaino was suspended for 80 games without pay after a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced that the right-hander tested positive for Stanozolol, a substance that is prohibited as part of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The 24-year-old Vizcaino, who is with Triple-A Gwinnett and on the Braves' 40-man roster, will begin serving the suspension when the season begins next week. (Editing by Larry Fine) ))