Anderson goes 4, Tribe hitless for 7 1/3 in loss By Chris Gabel / Special to MLB.com | March 11th, 2016 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Five Rockies held the Indians without a baserunner for 7 1/3 innings Friday in a 6-1 Colorado victory at Salt River Fields. Chad Bettis, Christian Bergman, Jason Motte, Miguel Castro and Scott Oberg combined to set down the first 22 Indians -- in a lineup that featured at least six Opening Day starters -- before Mike Napoli drew a walk on a full-count pitch. Adam Moore then broke up the no-hitter with a to deep center field. Bettis set the tone in his first start of . In contention to start on Opening Day, the right-hander induced five groundouts and struck out three. Bergman struck out three in his two innings and Motte and Castro were perfect in their one inning apiece. The Indians broke up the shutout on Zack Walters' infield to score Napoli. But the Rockies already up six runs by that point. "Guys threw the ball really well," manager said. "We were good off the mound today. Really good. That's a good sign." He added: [Bettis] was in complete control." The Rockies got on the board in the third inning against Indians starter Cody Anderson.Daniel Descalso and Rafael Ynoa led off with back- to-back singles, followed by an RBI groundout from Charlie Blackmon. Colorado added a in the fourth, when newly signedRyan Raburn singled and Brandon Barnes doubled to deep center field. "I'm feeling good," Anderson said. "The body feels good. The arm feels good. I was working on command of the fastball and everything else is coming along just fine." Tom Murphy capped the Rockies scoring with a three-run off Indians closer Cody Allen in the seventh. Allen gave up four runs in two-thirds of an inning. Descalso left the game in the sixth after he was by a pitch on the left hand on a checked swing. X-rays were negative, Weiss said, and Descalso is listed as day to day. "I was a little worried," Weiss said. Up next for Indians: On Saturday, the Indians will travel to Peoria to take on the Padres and on Sunday, the Indians are scheduled for split- squad games at the Royals at Surprise Stadium and at the Brewers at Goodyear Ballpark. Danny Salazar will start for the Indians on Saturday. Up next for Rockies: Left-hander Tyler Anderson will make his third appearance and first start of the spring on Saturday against the Brewers in Maryvale, Ariz. Anderson has given up three runs on five hits and struck out six in four innings this spring. Jon Gray, Chad Qualls,Jake McGee and Justin Miller are schedule to pitch as well.

Anderson pleased with his power pitching By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | March 11th, 2016 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Cody Anderson's plan against the Rockies on Friday afternoon was a simple one: attack the strike zone with fastballs. Mission accomplished. Anderson unleashed a flurry of fastballs during his 60-pitch outing, and the results were almost exactly what he wanted. The fact that his final pitching line in the 6-1 loss had more crooked numbers than zeroes was of little importance. "I'm just working on pounding the ball down in the zone," Anderson said. "As soon as I get that, it allows me to do other things. First and foremost, I was trying to get the ball down. I wasn't too worried about locating to each side of the plate. I'm just trying to cut the plate in half and trying to throw down in the zone." byCharlie Blackmon to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead. The Rockies tagged Anderson for another run in the fourth inning on an RBI double byBrandon Barnes. Overall, Anderson was charged with two runs on five hits in four innings against the Rockies. He threw 40 strikes. "This kid has worked his rear-end off," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He's completely changed his body, and because of that, his delivery is better and he's able to execute pitches he couldn't two years ago. He should be excited. We are proud of him." The 25-year-old Anderson, who is competing with and TJ House for a spot in the starting rotation behind Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer, threw two perfect innings against the Reds in his first Cactus League start of spring. He allowed two runs on three hits with three in two innings against the Brewers in relief in his second appearance. "I really tried to get to two strikes without throwing my as much," Anderson said. "I throw that a lot and worked on trying to save it for situations when I get in jams. That really helps me with my other stuff, too, because you can't always be a two-pitch , and I'm trying to learn how to be a four-pitch pitcher." Anderson started last season at Double-A, going 3-2 with a 1.73 ERA in 10 starts. He posted a 7-3 record and 3.05 ERA in 15 starts, a span of 91 1/3 innings, for the Indians in 2015. Worth noting x Infielder Jose Ramirez was hit in left shoulder with a line drive during Thursday's game against the Padres but said he's fine. He participated in all normal activities Friday and expects to be back in the lineup Saturday.

x The Indians signed Joey Butler, Erik Gonzalez, Roberto Perez and Giovanni Soto to contracts Friday. Every player on the club's 40-man roster is now under contract for 2016.

Brantley back in the swing, takes on-field BP By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | March 11th, 2016 GOODYEAR, Ariz -- It was impossible to ignore the recognizable smile on Michael Brantley's face Friday morning. The sound of the ball coming off his bat during batting practice had a familiar sound, too. • Indians Spring Training info Brantley, who had right shoulder surgery last November, took batting practice on the field with his Indians teammates for the first time this spring Friday. He followed up the hitting session by hitting off the tee in the batting cages. "It's another step to getting closer to playing in the games," Brantley said. "There was a little more excitement to be with the group of guys. I like it." The left fielder sprayed line drives all over the field during the session. He also ran around the bases while Roberto Perez and Jose Ramirez took their swings. "That's probably the main thing, just being out there with your teammates and not having to go somewhere separate," Brantley said. "I like having an entire day of working with the guys. I am excited where I am." Brantley said he'll continue to take batting practice on the field and "see how I feel when I wake up in the morning." He's not sure when he will appear in a Cactus League game. He's still targeting Opening Day. "If it's not Opening Day, it's whatever day I can help the team," Brantley said. "I want to come back 100 percent and make sure that I'm ready to go to help my teammates win a ballgame."

Uribe could be force in Tribe clubhouse By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | March 11th, 2016 GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Juan Uribe loves Juan Uribe, and everybody loves the Juan Uribes. Last month, the boisterous crowd at Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, erupted when 9-year-old Juan Uribe Jr., dressed in a uniform, stepped into the batter's box to take his cuts in a home-run derby against the likes David Ortiz Jr. and Francisco Cordero Jr. • Indians Spring Training info The cheers rose to a crescendo when the elder Uribe, standing on the field near the third-base line, waved to crowd and hopped up and down. Social media went crazy when photos of the father and son embracing after the event surfaced online. Welcome to the life of Uribe, the Indians starting and a 36-year-old kid at heart. The two-time champ could end up being a crucial part of the Indians' clubhouse like he has been in almost every one of his previous six stops in the big leagues. This year, Uribe is holding down the third-base position while young third baseman Giovanny Urshela, who is waiting in the wings, continues to develop. "These guys in this clubhouse are not just teammates, they are my family and I treat them that way," Uribe said in Spanish. "We have to be here for each other. That's one of the special things about being a baseball player. I'm not a perfect person, but I try every day to be a good person and think people see that." But make no mistake, Uribe is more than just a positive presence in the clubhouse. He still has bat speed and can field. On defense, Uribe turned in one Defensive Run Saved and had a 2.3 UZR/150 in 733 1/3 innings at third base in 2015. During the course of his 15-year career, Uribe has played for the Rockies, White Sox, Giants, Dodgers, Braves and Mets. Last season, he hit .253 with 14 home runs, 43 RBIs and a .737 OPS in 119 games for Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York. He won a World Series with the White Sox in 2005 and the Giants in 2010. "We got a kid in here that has played on winners and is really a good guy in the clubhouse, especially with some of the younger Latin kids. But it doesn't just have to be Latin," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "But I think it's easier for kids to maybe look up to a guy like that, so I think he helps in a number of ways. He still has bat speed, which is good. He may not be ready to run the marathon, but he's got bat speed and he catches the ball." Uribe signed with the Indians late last month, although he had been targeted by the club early in the offseason. The veteran's arrival in camp was delayed because of visa issues, and he's expected to return to the Dominican Republic sometime this weekend to finalize his paperwork. Uribe hopes to only miss few days of camp, but he's not sure how he will be out of the country. As for Urshela, 24, he played above-average defense while hitting .225 with six home runs and 21 RBIs in 81 games for the Indians last season. He's already overcome a knee injury, a back issue and a right shoulder problem during his young career. "I'm working on improving my offense and being a more consistent fielder and hitter," Urshela said in Spanish. "Having a guy here like Uribe helps. He's a veteran that's been around a lot and has done a lot in this game. I feel like I've already learned a lot about the game being around him." Uribe, who turns 37 on March 22, said he's not sure how long he wants to play, but that his body will tell him when it's time to step away from the game. Right now, his body is telling him things are just fine, he said. "I respect this game. I love baseball," Uribe said. "I've always been a believer that money can come and money can go, but how you treat people and the type of person you are will be with you forever. It's been very important to me, and I believe in this game that you always have to leave every door open and have relationships with every team you play for. I thank God that I have been able to have this career that I am having, and I'm not ready to stop yet."

Will Mike Napoli's 12-pitch walk to end bode well for ? Paul Hoynes, CLEVELAND, Ohio – A couple of days ago manager Terry Francona was talking about Mike Napoli. He said he felt Napoli would fit well with the Indians after they signed him to a one-year $7 million deal in January. He talked about Napoli's right-hander power and improved play at first base. Then he said, "He's a hard worker and has a little edge to him, which is OK." The definition of a player with an edge is someone who might snap at an opposing pitcher or a teammate who isn't pulling his weight. He's a player who just might do something good when things are going bad. One of the last places that edge should show itself is the late innings of Cactus League Game No.11. No one is watching, nobody cares, but there it was Friday afternoon in the eighth inning of the Tribe's 6-1 loss to Colorado at Salt River Fields. The Rockies were throwing a perfect game at the Indians. They had retired 22 straight batters when Napoli came to the plate with one out in the eighth. Normally, a veteran like Napoli would have been out of the game after a couple of at-bats and caught an early ride back to the Tribe's training site on the west side of Phoenix to beat the rush hour traffic. Mike Napoli has his eye on first base But there was Napoli batting with the Indians five outs away from being victimized by the spring-training weirdness of a no-hit perfect game. Napoli, facing lefty Scott Oberg, worked a 12-pitch walk to ruin the perfect game. Adam Moore followed with a double to end the no-hitter and Zach Walters scored Napoli on an infield hit to end the shut out. The perfect game, no-hitter and shutout were gone in the span of three batters. The Indians still lost and they did not look good doing it. However, Napoli's persistence in that 12-pitch walk could serve them well during the course of the long regular season when small things done well can make a difference. Other than that, the Indians were held to three hits by seven Colorado pitchers. Chad Bettis started for the Rockies and retired 12 straight in three innings. Christian Berman retired six straight in two innings and Jason Motte and Miguel Castro pitched a perfect sixth and seventh inning, respectively. Oberg started the eighth by retiring Carlos Santana on a fly ball to left to bring Napoli to the plate. While the offense sagged, the Indians continued to pitch well for the most part. Cody Anderson (0-1, 4.50), trying to win the fifth spot in the rotation, became the first Tribe pitcher to go four innings this spring. He allowed two runs on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Anderson pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the third and stranded a runner on third in the fourth. "I'm feeling good," Anderson told mlb.com. "The body feels good. The arm feels good. I was working on command of the fastball and everything else is coming along just fine." Why Cody Anderson threw away his bat Dan Otero, trying to win a job in the bullpen, retired the side in order in the fifth. He also made a nice play on a bunt attempt by Christian Adames. Otero has allowed one earned run in four innings. Tom Gorzelanny and Joe Thatcher each went to the mound in another episode of dueling lefties. Gorzelanny hadn't had a glove laid on him in his first three appearances, but the Rockies put him in a bases-loaded situation in the sixth on two singles and a hit batter. Gorzelanny escaped with no damage on a bouncer back to the mound. Gorzelanny has not allowed a run in four appearances covering four innings this spring. Thatcher recorded the last two outs of the game without incident. He's struck out five batters in 3 2/3 innings. It was not a good day for closer Cody Allen. He started the seventh with the Rockies leading, 2-0. Allen allowed four runs on four hits in two- thirds of an inning. Tony Wolters, former Tribe farmhand who was lost on waivers last month to the Rockies, started the rally with a lead-off single. Tom Murphy ended the rally with a two-out homer to make it 6-0. Indians take Cody Allen off the chain The Indians are 4-5-2 in Cactus League play. Cleveland Plain Dealer LOADED: 03.12.2016 Terry Francona says "sky is the limit' for Cleveland Indians Erik Gonzalez Paul Hoynes, CLEVELAND, Ohio – Erik Gonzalez is always smiling, but he's in a tough spot. He's a minor league shortstop trying to impress people in big league camp with the Indians. Manager Terry Francona told reporters in Goodyear, Ariz. on Friday morning that Gonzalez is one of the best defenders in camp. Gonzalez is also hitting .313 (5-for-16) with an RBI and two stolen bases. So what's the problem? Well, there's a guy playing shortstop with the Indians named Francisco Lindor. He came up in June and almost won the AL Rookie of the Year award. Lindor is 22 and Gonzalez is 24. Francona has played Gonzalez at second base for one game this spring, but that was merely to get him at bats. "In our mind he's a shortstop," said Francona. " I know Lindor is here. We get that. (But) a guy who is that good at shortstop . . . I just didn't want him to sit here and not play. He has the ability to play all over the place. He could probably play center field and first base, too. "But we told him he's a shortstop." Francona said the right-handed hitting Gonzalez has work to do offensively. "He's got some movement in his swing with his leg kick and timing mechanics," said Francona. "Getting that on time is one of his big challenges. When he learns to do that consistently, he could be one of those guys who just takes off. "You might not see the killer numbers a or Class AA, but when he grows into his body, there's no limit to what he can do. The sky is the limit. I told him that the other day – the sky is the limit. You can't tell everybody that." Gonzalez started last season at Akron and hit .280 (87-for-311) with 18 doubles, four triples, six homers and 46 RBI. He stole 10 bases in 15 attempts. When Lindor was promoted to Cleveland in June, Gonzalez took his spot at Class AAA Columbus. He hit .223 (53-for-238) with six doubles, three triples, three homers and 23 RBI. He made six errors in 62 games at shortstop. Gonzalez is listed a 6-3 and 195 pounds, but still looks like he has growing to do. This winter teams expressed interest in a lot of the Indians young players, including Gonzalez. The calls are still coming on him. "He's very exciting," said Francona. "Look at his body and you can see where he is now and where he was two years ago. He's worked really hard. His grasp of the language has improved as well. You can have a good conversation with him. " Ouch: Jose Ramirez, struck in the right shoulder by a line drive in Thursday's win over San Diego, is OK. Ramirez started at second base and went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI against the Padres. Ramirez is hitting .368 (7-for-19) with two homers this spring. Ramirez and Giovanny Urshela lead the team with six RBI each. Testing, testing: Michael Brantley's progress from surgery on his right shoulder is reportedly progressed to building strength, endurance and seeing pitches. He took batting practice on the field Friday for the first time this spring and reportedly looked good doing it. Francona said he had a conversation with Brantley early in camp about not overextending himself. "He said he went through that with his other shoulder and tried to come back too quick," said Francona. "That was a the reality check he needed. "He asked us to trust him. That's not a very hard thing to do. He's done such a good job. We don't want to hold him back. We just want to do it right and we want to be fair with him." Now it's just about swinging the bat. The good thing is Brantley has been able to do all his conditioning with his teammates, including running and throwing because surgery was on his non-throwing shoulder. "I would say everyone is so pleased with how it has gone," said Francona. "I don't foresee any complications moving forward. He's getting to the point now where we're building strength, endurance and seeing pitches." Today's game: Cody Anderson makes his second start of the spring on Friday when he faces Chad Bettis and the at Salt River Field in Scottsdale, Ariz. at 3:05 p.m. WMMS/FM 100.7 and Indians.com are scheduled to carry the game. Dan Otero, Tom Gorzelanny, Giovanni Soto, Joe Thatcher and Jeff Manship are scheduled to follow Anderson to the mound. What's ahead: Danny Salazar will face San Diego on Saturday, while Josh Tomlin starts against Milwaukee and Trevor Bauer starts against Kansas City in split squad games Sunday. Corey Kluber will start against Texas on Monday. Spring fever: Yes, it's dangerous to linger too long over Cactus League stats, but the top four starters in the Tribe's rotation are 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA with 23 strikeouts, seven walks and 11 hits. Kluber and Carlos Carrasco have not allowed a run in 10 combined innings. They've struck out 12 and walked one. Finally: Francona suggested Friday that the first round of cuts will be coming in the near future because the starting pitchers have to get more innings. Cleveland Plain Dealer LOADED: 03.12.2016 How often will the Tribe need a fifth starter in the early going? Cleveland Indians morning briefing Zack Meisel, CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If the Indians want to, they can minimize their reliance upon a fifth starting pitcher in the season's early going. Cleveland's schedule is quite conducive to such a strategy. If the Indians prefer to pitch their four known commodities on regular rest, the club would only need a fifth starter's services on four occasions in the first six weeks of the season. The Indians have six off-days during that stretch. The Indians have granted Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer spots in the rotation. Kluber will start on Opening Day against the on April 4 at Progressive Field. The teams have a day off on April 5. Josh Tomlin, Cody Anderson and TJ House are the main candidates for the lone opening in the rotation. Tomlin would figure to be the favorite, based upon his offseason contract extension and from comments made by general manager Mike Chernoff at the time of the agreement on the deal. Tomlin returned from shoulder surgery last summer and posted a 7-2 record and 3.02 ERA in 10 starts for the Tribe. He limited the opposition to a career-low 6.4 hits per nine innings. Anderson didn't struggle, either. The rookie logged a 7-3 record and 3.05 ERA in 15 starts for Cleveland. He spent the majority of his offseason at the team's complex in Goodyear, Arizona, and he reported to spring training in great shape. Both hurlers have minor-league options remaining. The Indians could opt to start Anderson in -A and have Tomlin serve as the fifth starter and also as a bullpen option when the club doesn't need a fifth starter. Tomlin made 15 relief appearances in 2012 and 2014. The team could also choose to provide its starting pitchers with extra rest in the early portion of the schedule. The Indians have only one off-day after Sept. 1. Manager Terry Francona said this week that he hopes the rotation contenders fare so well during spring training that the decision proves challenging. He also noted that the club expects to require the services -- at some point this year -- of more than just the five starters who break camp with the club. Left side: Ross Detwiler made his decision rather quickly, before the calendar flipped to 2016. Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway helped to seal the deal. Callaway and assistant GM Derek Falvey watched video of Detwiler's pitching delivery. They saw some things that they thought they could tweak. "They were like, 'We'd love to have this guy,'" Francona told reporters. ... "He bought in after talking to Mickey really early and committed." Detwiler is among the cast of left-handed candidates vying for a spot in the Indians' bullpen. Tom Gorzelanny and Joe Thatcher, other veteran southpaws in the competition, also signed minor-league deals over the winter. Detwiler, though, has spent the majority of his career as a starter. Francona said the 30-year-old would still prefer to start. The Nationals selected Detwiler with the sixth overall pick in the 2007 amateur draft. From 2007-14, he compiled a 3.82 ERA in 132 outings. Last season cannot be ignored, though; Detwiler posted a 7.25 ERA with a 2.023 WHIP with Washington and Texas. This spring, he has allowed three runs on four hits over three innings. "He probably profiles more as a starter," Francona said. "He has four pitches. There's life to all of them. He has a good frame. I think they're still working through some delivery things, trying to get him a little more tempo. There's a lot to like there." On the docket: Anderson will make his third outing of the spring on Friday, as he pitches against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Dan Otero, Tom Gorzelanny, Cody Allen, Joe Thatcher and Jeff Manship are also scheduled to pitch. Cleveland Plain Dealer LOADED: 03.12.2016

Who should open season in center field for Cleveland Indians? Hey, Hoynsie Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio – Do you have a question that you'd like to have answered in Hey, Hoynsie? Submit it here or Tweet him at @hoynsie. Hey, George: It doesn't matter who I prefer gets the center field job. Chris Antonetti, Mike Chernoff, Derek Falvey, Terry Francona and others among the Tribe's decision makers will make the decisions. Abraham Almonte's PED suspension has opened the door for a lot of players in camp. It's been impressive to see what rookie Tyler Naquin has done, but as Francona has said it's going to take more than a big batting average to win the job. The Indians have several veterans in camp including Will Venable, Robbie Grossman, Collin Cowghill and Shane Robinson who could fill the role. Michael Brantley's rapid improvement in his rehab from surgery on his right shoulder could factor into the decision as well. If Brantley opens the season with the Tribe, would Rajai Davis move over to center? There are lots of things to consider. Hey, Shawn: If Mike Napoli hits 20 homers this year, will you be satisifed? What if Carlos Santana hits 25? The only way the Indians were going to add the kind of hitter you wanted this winter was by trading a front-line starter. They weren't going to top $100 million to sign a free agent such as Justin Upton. Would you have traded Carlos Carrasco or Danny Salazar? The Indians said no. Hey, DJ: First Walters has to make it through camp healthy. So far he's done a good job in that regard. Then he has to make a lot more contact than he's been making over the last year. It seems as if the Indians have temporarily scrapped the idea of him being a super utility player. They've let him stay in the outfield and he seems more comfortable there. What Walters does best is hit and hit for power. If he doesn't do that, I don't think you'll be seeing a lot of him in the big leagues this year. He does have one minor league option left. Hey, Kurt: Standing or sitting, I just hope I'm around in 2020 to watch the Tribe. Thinking about standing for nine innings makes my legs hurt. Unless, of course, I'm propped up against a drink rail. Hey, Ruben: I wanted them do more, but I am intrigued to see how much of a difference veteran right-handed hitters Mike Napoli, Rajai Davis and Juan Uribe will make. If they make a solid impact, I think this could be an improved offense with a healthy Yan Gomes, a full season from Francisco Lindor and a more productive Carlos Santana. A strong return by Michael Brantley would help greatly as well. But right now that's all speciulation. Hey, Steve: Terry Francona said earlier in camp that prospects Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier aren't ready to play in the big leagues right now. Zimmer is still recovering from a broken bone in his right foot, which is the reason he wasn't invited to big league camp. They're expected to open the season at Class AA Akron this year. They're probably both at least a year away from playing in the big leagues. Naquin is a different story. He's in big league camp and he's making a good impression. He has a chance to make the club out of spring training. Hey, John: I think the first four starters are set with Corey Kluber, Carlos Santana, Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer. Right now I think Josh Tomlin has a leg up on the fifth spot, but Cody Anderson is making a case for himself. Like they say, you can never have enough pitching. Hey, Jerry: This is the best I've felt about Giovanny Urshela in a long time. Yes, you can get fooled in spring training, but he's healthy, he's swinging the bat and he's already a good third baseman. If Juan Uribe can keep the hot corner occupied while Urshela gets some more at-bats at Class AAA Columbus, I don't see any harm in it. It's encouraging to hear how Urshela has handled the signing of Uribe and the news that he'd probably open the year at Columbus because of it. Urshela was disappointed, but he hasn't sulked. All you have to do is look at his batting average to see that. Hey, Hoynsie: If Cody Anderson outperforms Josh Tomlin in the spring and shows better stuff, will he win the fifth rotation spot or will Tomlin's contract force Francona to start him? -- Marty Gitlin, North Olmsted. Hey, Marty: It could happen, but Tomlin is on the team regardless. If he doesn't make the rotation, he'll be in the bullpen. Tomlin's ability to start or relieve could allow him to fill the fifth spot in the rotation and give Francona an extra reliever in the earlier part of the season. Tomlin has two minor league options left, but he also have five years in the big leagues. If the Indians tried to send him down, he could become a free agent.

Brantley takes batting practice By The Associated Press GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) -- Indians outfielder Michael Brantley has cleared one of the biggest hurdles in his offseason rehab. Brantley took batting practice on a field for the first time this offseason on Friday, marking his clearance to take part in all baseball activities.

Having reached the last leg of his offseason hitting program, Brantley, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum in November, should soon be ready to take part in spring training games.

''I think we're getting to the point now, where it's building up endurance and strength and stamina and also then seeing pitches,'' Indians manager Terry Francona said.

While he was cleared to take batting practice earlier this week, Brantley stayed in the cages for his offensive work until finally taking the field. He had been building up from no-contact swings, to a tee to soft toss in recent weeks.

Francona, who has watched Brantley work at the team's spring training facility, expressed his excitement in watching Brantley reach the big milestone.

''Everybody is so pleased with how it's gone,'' Francona said. ''He's done such a good job.''

While Brantley wants to play in Cleveland's opener on April 4, it appears unlikely that the outfielder will be able to do so. He still must work his way back into game shape before being inserted in a regular-season lineup.

If Brantley feels he's able to play when opening day rolls around, however, Francona will listen to him.

''We don't want to hold him back,'' Francona said. ''He asked us to trust him and that's really not a very hard thing to do.''

Any setback with Brantley's shoulder could alter any plans, but Francona isn't worried about that hypothetical scenario.

''I don't foresee any complications moving forward,'' Francona said, ''just because he's doing so well.''