Sports

New tattoo forces Rangers’ Andrus to miss game

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus was scratched from yesterday’s spring training game because of what the club called “sensitivity in his left arm” — apparently caused by a tattoo.

Andrus spent nine hours the two days before yesterday’s game against the Indians under a needle. He wanted a likeness of his late father, Emilo Andrus, who died in 1996 when Elvis was 7.

Andrus told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he will be ready to play today.

“It’s a memory of my dad,” he said. “I’m really proud that it’s going to be on myself forever.”

The tattoo covers most of Andrus’ left arm from the elbow to shoulder. It will apparently be his last.

“I’m done with this, too much pain,” Andrus said.

CARDINALS: Pitcher Jake Westbrook left St. Louis’ game against the Marlins with a bruised left knee and outfielder Carlos Beltran departed with a bruised right toe.

Westbrook was hit on the leg by a grounder hit by Casey Kotchman leading off the second inning.

Beltran was hit by a pitch in the first and left the game after the inning. X-rays were negative.

WBC: Former Yankees pitcher Javier Vazquez will not pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Agent Seth Levinson said the 36-year-old right-hander had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Giants outfielder Andres Torres also will not play for Puerto Rico and will be sidelined for at least a week because of a strained oblique.