Notes

INDIANS Francoeur released

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The Indians released outfielder Jeff Francoeur.

The Indians signed Francoeur, 30, to a minor league free-agent contract Jan. 6 and invited him to major-league training camp. Francoeur had 35 at-bats this spring, hitting .286 with 1 home run and 10 RBI.

The Indians signed infielder/ outfielder Elliot Johnson to a minor-league contract Jan. 27. Johnson’s versatility made him the better choice for the Indians, according to General Manager Chris Antonetti.

“Jeff had a really good camp. For us, it’s the decisions for how we put all the pieces together and not individually who is the best player,” Antonetti said. “Elliot had a great camp.His versatility helps us expand our bench. He gives us a lot of different options. He and Mike Aviles really complement the guys that we have.”

Francoeur played 59 games for Kansas City last season, hitting .208 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI. He was released by the Royals on July 5 and signed by the San Francisco Giants four days later. Francoeur hit .194 for the Giants in 22 games with 4 RBI but did not have a home run.

The Indians want to help Francoeur find another job in the major leagues, which led to the timing of the decision.

“It was really tough to tell him, not only because of the type of player he is but the type of person,” Antonetti said. “He has a lot of fans here. … We all feel he could help a major-league team.”

The Indians also informed outfielder Matt Carson that he will not be on the major-league roster. Carson will remain in the major-league camp for the last week. He will likely start the season at Class AAA Columbus.

Right-handed reliever Vinnie Pestano was told that he will make the Indians’ opening day roster.

REDS Schumaker injured

Skip Schumaker dislocated his left shoulder and will miss about a month.

Schumaker, 34, left the game between the Reds and Royals on Friday after making a diving attempt to cut off a line drive hit by Angel Franco in the left-center field gap in the seventh inning.

Schumaker’s glove jammed into the hard ground on the Arizona field. The injury is similar to the injury Ryan Ludwick sustained on opening day last year when his hand jammed into the ground at Great American Ball Park while sliding into third base.

“It was good news, actually,” Schumaker said. “It is not like Ryan Ludwick. I don’t need surgery, which would be eight weeks of rehab.”

The veteran utility player signed a two-year contract with the Reds on Nov. 26. He is expected to provide backup at second base and the outfield.

“It was a clean separation,” Manager Bryan Price said.”It could have been worse.”

Schumaker was hitting .441 this spring with 1 home run and 7 RBI.

ODDS & ENDS

The Texas Rangers have assigned infielder Brent Lillibridge to minor-league camp and released Jose Contreras, the 42-year-old right hander they already had said wouldn’t make the team. Those moves were made Saturday, when the team also settled on a closer and another starting pitcher. Tanner Scheppers, who last season in his first full major-league season was one of the game’s top setup guys, will open this season in the starting rotation. He pitched six innings in his last spring start Friday. The Rangers also have tabbed former All-Star Joakim Soria as their closer. … Right-hander Kameron Loe has received his release from the San Francisco Giants, per a provision in his contract allowing him to opt out if he wasn’t going to make the major-league roster. He spent last season with Seattle, the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta, going a combined 2-3 with a 7.09 ERA in 20 appearances with one start. Loe, 32, has pitched parts of nine seasons in the big leagues.

Scores and schedule

SATURDAY’S GAMES Toronto 9, Detroit 4 NY Mets 10, Miami (ss) 2 Washington 6, Miami (ss) 5 Atlanta 6, Boston 3 St. Louis 5, Houston 2 Tampa Bay 3, Baltimore 3, tie, 10 innings NY Yankees 5, Minnesota 4 Pittsburgh 5, Philadelphia 3 San Diego 3, Chicago White Sox (ss) 3, tie LA Angels 9, Milwaukee 6 Colorado (ss) 14, Cleveland 6 Oakland 6, Seattle (ss) 5 Kansas City 8, Texas 4 Cincinnati 8, Chicago Cubs 3 San Francisco 8, Chicago White Sox (ss) 5 Colorado (ss) 4, Seattle (ss) 3

TODAY’S GAMES All times Central Toronto vs. NY Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 12:05 p.m.

Miami vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla., 12:05 p.m.

Houston vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla., 12:05 p.m. Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla., 12:05 p.m.

NY Mets vs. Atlanta at Kissimmee, Fla., 12:05 p.m.

Minnesota vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, Fla., 12:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 12:05 p.m.

Milwaukee vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Cleveland vs. LA Angels at Tempe, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Kansas City vs. San Francisco at Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Oakland (ss) vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Chi. Cubs vs. Oakland (ss) at Phoenix, 3:05 p.m. San Diego vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:10 p.m.

MONDAY’S GAMES Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla., 12:05 p.m.

Philadelphia vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla., 12:05 p.m.

Detroit vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 12:05 p.m.

Washington vs. Miami at Jupiter, Fla., 12:05 p.m. Boston vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla., 12:05 p.m. St. Louis vs. NY Mets at Port St. Lucie, Fla., 12:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

San Francisco vs. LA Angels at Tempe, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Cleveland vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Oakland vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.

Kansas City vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:10 p.m.

Houston vs. Atlanta at Kissimmee, Fla., 5:05 p.m. San Diego vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., 9:05 p.m.