BALTIMORE -- The Texas Rangers will place Yu Darvish on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a mild strain in the pitcher's right upper back.
Texas assistant general manager Thad Levine said putting Darvish on the DL during the All-Star break will allow Darvish to sit for two weeks and skip just one start while resting the bothersome trapezius muscle.
"At this stage, it's not something we're really worried about," Levine said. "We think it's probably a little bit more fatigue than anything. It will put him in the best position to hit the ground running in the second half. Based upon [this being] retroactive to his last start, he would be eligible to come off on [July] 22, which is the first game against the Yankees, and it's our hope and expectation that he'll be on the mound for that game."
Darvish agreed with the move.
"I don't think it's a big issue, but just as a precaution. I'd rather skip a start than push it through," Darvish said.
Voted an All-Star for the second time in as many seasons, Darvish will attend and be introduced at the All-Star Game at CitiField, but will not participate.
"That's what the game of baseball's about, is challenges," Rangers manager Ron Washington said of the loss of the right-hander. "Those that survive are those that rise to it. We've been rising to it, and I expect us to continue."
Darvish was scheduled to start Thursday's series finale against the Orioles, but Washington said right-hander Ross Wolf will get the nod.
"He's able to spot start for us, give us three or four innings, and we'll do what we have to do from there," Washington said. "We feel like he can get the job done."
Wolf is 1-1 with a 1.95 ERA in 12 appearances [one start] this season.
"I'll just go out there and do what I do -- throw strikes and get outs as quick as you can," he said.
Levine said the Rangers will make a counter move Thursday after Darvish is placed on the DL.
Darvish will be sent back to Texas to be evaluated by team physician Dr. Keith Meister as a precautionary measure.
Jeff Seidel is a contributor to ESPNDallas.com.