The chances of Yu Darvish pitching on Opening Day for the Rangers appear to be diminishing with just one week to go. His problems are just one reason why the Rangers want Joe Saunders in their rotation to start the season.

The Mets on Monday officially named Dillon Gee their Opening Day starter, with Jon Niese set to begin the season on the disabled list. Gee will pitch March 31 at Citi Field against Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals, becoming the 23rd Mets pitcher and eighth homegrown arm to receive an Opening Day start.

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is owed $134 million through 2020, but realizes he could be on the move if the Rockies don’t start winning. Tulowitzki also wants to win. So there’s one way to stop the rumors.

Manny Machado said he never wanted to mark any specific dates on the calendar or set any deadlines for his return to the field, so he didn’t want to make too much of manager Buck Showalter’s announcement that the All-Star third baseman won’t be with the Orioles on Opening Day.

Whatever his thinking, Max Scherzer’s decision to turn down an offer from the Tigers that is being widely reported as $24 million a year for six years has put a smile on the faces of executives with a lot of other teams, especially those who figure to have money to spend next winter.

Now that the David Ortiz contract is settled, will the Red Sox soon be able to announce an extension for ace Jon Lester?

On Monday, Matt Moore told reporters he was doing fine and the swelling had gone down some after he had been struck on the mouth by a comebacker off the bat of Xander Bogaerts during Sunday’s game.

For the second time in four days, the Tigers have traded for a shortstop. This time, they acquired a veteran one, bringing in Alex Gonzalez from the Orioles in exchange for utility man Steve Lombardozzi on Monday.

Call it the crowning contract in the marvelous career of David Ortiz, the one that will assure Boston remains his city for the rest of his playing days.

The more Michael Bourn thought about it, the less sense it made to try to rush through his rehab in order to be in the Opening Day lineup for the Indians. It was later determined that Bourn would open the regular season on the 15-day disabled list because of his strained left hamstring.

As a former player, Indians manager Terry Francona understands that the day of a demotion is not always the best time for a detailed conversation — but it was just that Monday morning for prospect Trevor Bauer.

Rangers catcher Geovany Soto is scheduled to undergo surgery on his right knee Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus. He is expected to be out 10-12 weeks.

David Ortiz, Boston’s beloved slugger, has agreed to a contract extension that guarantees him $16 million for one year, 2015, and could keep him with the Red Sox through 2017. The sides agreed to terms shortly after Sunday’s exhibition game between the Red Sox and the Rays, and the Red Sox announced the completion of the deal late Sunday night. The deal includes a vesting club option for 2016 based on an undisclosed amount of plate appearances in ’15 and a club option for ’17.

Yordano Ventura might not have been at his best but he gave up just one run in five eventful innings in the Royals’ 13-9 loss to the Giants on Sunday.

The Dodgers returned Sunday from their successful Australian getaway in first place and now get a week to reset, time needed for Hyun-Jin Ryu’s toenail and whatever ails Yasiel Puig to heal.

Wilin Rosario played credibly Sunday at first base — which could be a way for the Rockies to keep his bat in the lineup on days he needs a break from catching. It was his first test of the spring at first base.

Manager Bryan Price is still trying to determine who can start on Opening Day. Before the recent string of injuries, it was between Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey. Now, it’s totally up in the air.