The Texas Rangers' Yu Darvish missed his scheduled start Friday with a stiff neck but is still on course to pitch in the season opener.
"Of course," Darvish said, when asked if he would be ready for the Rangers' March 31 game against the Philadelphia Phillies. "I should be fine for my next start, too."
Darvish, who said he slept badly on his neck, did not practice Friday and received treatment. He is set to pitch Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners.
Darvish finished second in the AL Cy Young voting last season after going 13-9 with a 2.83 ERA for Texas.