Brantley set for first start of spring training

Outfielder Michael Brantley, recovering from an ankle injury, is set to make his first start of the spring on March 21. Also, the Indians cut Melvin Upton Jr. as part of several moves.

In another era, Melvin Upton Jr. might have made the Indians roster. But a month into spring training with the defending Central Division champions, he is out of a job.

Upton and veteran catcher Ryan Hanigan were released March 19 in a series of roster reductions by the Indians. Infielders Yandy Diaz, catcher Eric Haase and Eric Stamets were optioned to the Tribe’s AAA Columbus team.

The most significant news coming out of the desert is the announce- ment left fielder Michael Brantley will make his first 2018 Cactus League start on March 21 when Salazar “remains a few ing,” Francona said. really good. He can get the Indians play the Kan- weeks behind,” according “You’re getting to that from zero to 60 in a hurry. sas City Royals. Brantley to the set of game notes point in camp where guys At that age, it’s not something will play three or four in- issued on March 19. Sala- who are competing for jobs that’s easy to do, and nings, Indians manager zar is participating in are told they haven’t made he’s done a great job of it.” Terry Francona told re- weighted ball work and the club. Once we feel Francona has said one porters in Goodyear, Ar- throwing from 130 feet. we’ve eliminated some- roster spot could come izona. The decision to release body, we feel the need to down to him choosing between

Brantley has been rac- Upton eight days before tell them.” infielders Giovanny ing the clock since under- the Indians break train- Francona said Upton Urshela and Erik Gonzalez. going surgery on his right ing camp likely means Ra- might still wind up with Both players have ankle Oct. 18. Manager jai Davis will make the 25- the Columbus Clippers if flashy gloves and both are Terry Francona hasn’t man roster. Upton does not land a job out of options. ruled out Brantley be- Upton — 33 years old with another team. Urshela might be making ing ready for the season and in Goodyear on a mi- Davis is hitting .242 Francona’s decision an opener March 29 in Seat- nor league contract with with eight hits in 33 at easy one. The 26-year-old tle, but Francona isn’t go- a non-roster invitation to bats. More important to third baseman from Cartagena, ing to push the 2015 and spring training — was hit- the Indians than his bat- Colombia, leads all 2017 All-Star because he ting .189 with five hits in ting average, Davis has Major Leaguers with 20 wants Brantley healthy 37 at-bats. three stolen bases. Fran- hits this spring. His .488 for the bulk of the season. Upton has a career bat- cona puts more empha- batting average (20-41) is Brantley missed all but 11 ting average of .243 with sis on hustling from first the highest among hitters games in 2016 because of 300 stolen bases and 586 to third base on a hit than with a minimum of 35 at complications from shoul- RBI with Tampa Bay, At- he does on stealing bases, bats. Urshela also leads der surgery in 2015. lanta, Toronto and San Di- but Davis’ speed is impor- the Indians with five doubles.

In other news from ego. He was trying to re- tant to the Tribe’s plans the trainer’s room, center start his career after bat- this year. The 37-year-old Urshela hit .224 in 67 fielder Bradley Zimmer tling thumb and shoulder outfielder led the Ameri- games with the Indians was scratched from the injuries in 2017 while with can League with 43 stolen last year. He spent all of game with the Giants on the Giants. He appeared bases in 2016. 2016 (117 games) in Columbus March 19 because of mild in no Major League games “He doesn’t even look after hitting .225 with tightness in his left groin. last season. like he’s lost a half step,” the Indians in 81 games in

Right-hander Danny “Today’s a hard morn- Francona said. “He’s been 2015.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Michael Brantley walks into the batting cage during a team workout in October in Cleveland.