Indians 1B Branyan to open season on DL

TEMPE, Ariz., March 28 (UPI) -- Cleveland Indians first baseman Russell Branyan has landed on the disabled list with a herniated disc in his back, team officials said Sunday.

"We already made the decision," Indians Manager Manny Acta told reporters at the team's spring training complex in Tempe, Ariz. "He's going to start playing games in the minor leagues on Tuesday depending on how he feels tomorrow. There's just not enough time. It wasn't about just the at-bats."

It's likely the Indians will use Matt LaPorta at first when they open the 2010 season April 5 on the road against the Chicago White Sox.

"We're not anticipating having Branyan up here to play every three or four days," Acta said. "We need him to be ready to be out there more than that."

Branyan socked 31 homers and drove in 76 runs last year for Seattle, the best power year of his 12-year major league career. He broke in with the Indians in 1998.