AROUND THE HORN

MLB: The Red Sox and the Nationals are the only teams on track to pay the luxury tax this year, according to opening-day payroll totals compiled by Major League Baseball. The Red Sox’s payroll at the start of the season for purposes of the tax was $233.9 million, which would cause the team to pay a $9.4 million tax. The Nationals’ payroll was $201 million, which would result in a tax of $1.2 million. The Giants were just below the $197 million tax threshold at $196.66 million. That is followed by the Cubs at $183.9 million, the Astros at $182.4 million, the Dodgers at $181.99 million and the Yankees at $178.8 million.

White Sox: Reliever Danny Farquhar, who had brain surgery to repair a ruptured aneurysm, is to remain hospitalized for several weeks and went on the 60-day DL. Also, RHP Miguel Gonzalez went on the 10-day DL with an inflamed right rotator cuff, and RHP Chris Beck was brought up.

Rays: RHP Yonny Chirinos was named as the fourth starter in the rotation. The Rays had been using three starters plus two “bullpen day” slots. But Chirinos showed enough in his first three appearances that he now will take a regular turn, starting Sunday against the Twins. He will join RHP Chris Archer, LHP Blake Snell and RHP Jake Faria in the rotation.

Red Sox: The Red Sox traded LHP Roenis Elias to the Mariners for future considerations. Elias was 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA in Triple A this season. In 55 major-league appearances, he is 15-21 with a 4.20 ERA.

Tigers: RHP Drew VerHagen (0-1, 6.30) was designated for assignment, and OF Mike Gerber was recalled. Brewers: Davey Nelson, a Brewers broadcaster and former major-league player and coach, died at 73 after a long illness. Nelson played in the majors from 1968-77 with the Indians, Senators, Rangers and Royals and made the 1973 AL All-Star team. He coached for the White Sox, A’s, Indians and Expos.