King Felix can’t take his new deal to the bank just yet.
Reports yesterday said the pending seven-year, $175-million contract extension agreed to between the Mariners and Felix Hernandez is in jeopardy because of concerns over the right-hander’s pitching elbow, which surfaced after a recent physical.
ESPN cited a source that said the condition of Hernandez’s elbow is “an issue” that could end up affecting the deal, the most expensive ever for a starting pitcher.
Another report, by USA Today, said the Mariners refused to comment on the negotiations, nor would a representative of Hernandez’s agents.
“We’ve had a code of silence all along on this, and that hasn’t changed,’’ Alan Nero told USA Today. “We’re dealing with a lot of issues.’’
INDIANS: With at least one spot open in his rotation, Cleveland’s new manager, Terry Francona, will give a pitcher he knows well a shot to win a starting job.
Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka has agreed to a minor league contract with Cleveland. Matsuzaka, who pitched for Francona with the Red Sox, must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized.
The Indians’ pitchers and catchers reported to camp in Goodyear, Ariz., yesterday, with physicals scheduled to take place today.
The 32-year-old Matsuzaka has won 50 major league games since signing a $52 million, six-year contract with Boston as free agent in 2007.
Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez and Brett Myers are the only pitchers with guaranteed spots in Cleveland’s rotation. Zach McAllister comes to camp favored to win the No. 4 spot, leaving Matsuzaka in a group with Scott Kazmir, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Corey Kluber and David Huff fighting it out this spring.
CUBS: Outfielder Scott Hairston finalized a two-year contract which he had agreed to last month.
The 32-year-old Hairston hit .263 with a career-high 20 homers, 57 RBIs and 25 doubles last year in his second season with the Mets.
D’BACKS: Catcher Rod Barajas is returning to Arizona, where he started his major league career.
The Diamondbacks said the 37-year-old agreed to a minor league contract. He will go to spring training and compete with Wil Nieves for a backup job behind Miguel Montero.
REDS: Pitcher Armando Galarraga agreed to a minor league contract and will try to win a job at spring training.
The 31-year-old right-hander was 0-4 with a 6.75 ERA in five starts last year with the Astros.