Matsuzaka doesn’t make Indians’ roster

Right-hander likely to accept minor league deal

Daisuke Matsuzaka will not be on the Indians' roster when the team heads north. He is still trying to regain his arm strength after elbow reconstruction surgery.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Daisuke Matsuzaka will not make the Indians’ opening-day roster, but he plans to remain with Cleveland.

Trying to make a comeback after pitching in just 11 games last season with Boston following elbow reconstruction surgery, Matsuzaka may accept an offer to stay in the club’s minor league camp. The 32-year-old Japanese right-hander was trying to win a spot in Cleveland's rotation.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona met with Dice-K and reliever Matt Capps on Monday and told both they will not break camp with the club.

“We would like to keep both guys in the organization,” Antonetti said. “Neither guy was set to make the opening day roster. We thought we would inform them now and let them know we want to keep them in camp to help them get back to full strength. If and when they do, we think they both can help us.

Matsuzaka expressed an interest in staying with Cleveland. He will be paid $18,000 a month if he stays in the organization at the minor league level. Details will need to be worked out with Matsuzaka’s agent, Scott Boras.

“This is the first time, I’ve been in this situation. I did not know what to expect,” Masuzaka said through his interpreter. “The teammates have been great; the staff has been great, taking care of me and helping me get better. I really appreciate what the organization has done for me.”

Capps hasn't decided whether he’ll stay in camp, Antonetti said. Capps began last season as Minnesota's closer but shoulder problems limited him to 30 games.

The Indians have until March 26 before Matsuzaka would be owed a $100,000 payment under baseball’s collective bargaining agreement.

Antonetti thinks a deal to keep the players can be worked out before the deadline.

INDIANS 4, BREWERS 2

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Ubaldo Jimenez struck out five in 5 1-3 innings Monday, helping Cleveland win. Jimenez, eager to bounce back from two subpar seasons, allowed two runs, seven hits, and a walk.

Marco Estrada, returning to the Brewers from the World Baseball Classic, gave up one run, three hits, and three walks in 2 1-3 innings. He walked Mark Reynolds with the bases loaded in the first.

Jean Segura hit two singles for the Brewers and is hitting .351. Blake Lalli doubled in a run against Jimenez.

Drew Stubbs singled and doubled in three at-bats for Cleveland. Lou Marson and Ezequiel Carrera singled in runs off Alfredo Figaro, and Cord Phelps hit an RBI triple.

Home plate umpire Patrick Mahoney was hit on the head on a backswing and was replaced after a 12-minute delay.