Former Erie SeaWolves infielder Ryan Raburn will open the 2013 season, barring injury, as a member of the Cleveland Indians. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fifth round of the 2005 first-year player draft before spending the past seven years going back-and-forth between Detroit and several levels of the Tigers’ minor league system. Raburn is a .273 career hitter in 695 minor league games and has a .256 average in 566 major league games.

Raburn was the starting second baseman for the Tigers in spring training before a down season forced Detroit to release him to avoid arbitration. The Indians signed Raburn to a minor-league deal in January and invited him to spring training to earn a roster spot. Raburn hit .359 in 20 spring training games with the Indians, including five doubles, four home runs and 11 RBIs. Cleveland has a solid starting infield, including Jason Kipnis at second base, but Raburn could be an interesting option off the bench.

–Tom Reisenweber

A bum right elbow has sidelined Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis for the past three games of spring training.

Manager Terry Francona says the injury shouldn’t keep Kipnis out of the Opening Day lineup. Of bigger concern is the slow start Kipnis has had at the plate in Cactus League games. He has hit .154 (6-for-39) with nine strikeouts in 15 games.

Kipnis isn’t overly concerned about his poor showing at the plate:

Being confident in myself, I know that I’ve done that in the past where I didn’t hit in spring, but I’ll come out of the gates on fire, or something like that.

Another injured Indian, closer Chris Perez, believes he will be in the lineup for the April 2 opener at Toronto.

Perez (right shoulder strain) on his recovery:

I’ll be there. The initial injury is gone. I’m 100 percent. Now it’s just trying to get my arm strength back to where I can make 60 or 70 appearances.

Perez was scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Saturday.

–Sportsonearth.com projects the Indians to finish second behind the Tigers in the AL Central. Check out the projection here.

–Veteran outfielder Brad Hawpe, attempting a comeback after Tommy John surgery, was released by the Pirates Saturday morning. Hawpe struggled at the plate, hitting .139 in 16 games.

–Tony Battaglia

Add the Cleveland Indians to the “Harlem Shake” craze.

Here’s their version:

– Rick Green (follow me @ETNrgreen)

Scott Kazmir is only 29 years old. In baseball terms, that’s the beginning of many players’ prime years.

Kazmir led the American League in strikeouts in 2007 and was a two-time All-Star before running into control and shoulder issues. The Cleveland Indians took a flyer on Kazmir in the offseason, hoping they could help rebuild the career and once-bright future of the left-handed starter.

So far, so good.

Kazmir has looked impressive in spring training and is a solid candidate for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. His solid performances have drawn interest as a collection of scouts watched him work on commanding his slider in a minor league game Wednesday.

Starting pitching is the Indians’ biggest concern this season. If Kazmir can regain some of his past promise, he could prove to be the Tribe’s best offseason acquisition.

–Tony Battaglia

Bring your appetite.

The Cleveland Indians announced Thursday the team is cutting prices on concessions at Progressive Field this year.

The team said hot dogs will start at $3 (33-percent less than last year) and 12-ounce domestic beers will be $4 (24 percent less) for 2013.

Get more details on the price reductions here.

– Tony Battaglia

Justin Masterson will be the Cleveland Indians’ opening-day starter for the second straight season.

Indians manager Terry Francona told Masterson of the decision Tuesday, before the Indians lost for the first time this spring (4-1 to the Royals).

The Indians open the season April 2 at the Toronto Blue Jays.

It was an expected choice, but Masterson will look to have a bounce-back season after going 11-15 with a 4.93 ERA (159 Ks, 88 walks) in 2012.

–Tony Battaglia

Former Erie SeaWolves second baseman Ryan Raburn is trying to make the Cleveland Indians’ roster in a utility role. After the first two spring games, he’s making a great impression.

Raburn, who was released by the Tigers after last season, has hit three home runs in a pair of Cactus League wins. The versatile Raburn was signed to a minor league deal in the offseason and is trying to win a bench spot as a reserve guy at second or third base, or as a corner outfield option.

He had a rough 2012 season in Detroit, hitting .171 with one home run and 12 RBIs before being sent down to Triple-A Toledo. Raburn, 31, hit .301 with 16 homers and 63 RBIs for the SeaWolves in 2004.

If Raburn keeps tearing it up in Arizona, the Indians will have an easy decision to make.

–Tony Battaglia

The Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates will get nine innings of ballfield time in Friday as spring training shifts into game mode.

The Indians start the Cactus League against their Goodyear (Ariz.) Ballpark cohabitants, the Cincinnati Reds. First pitch is 3:05 p.m. Terry Francona announced the Indians’ spring debut lineup Thursday. Here it is:

CF Michael Bourn, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B Jason Kipnis, 1B Nick Swisher, LF Michael Brantley, C Carlos Santana, DH Mark Reynolds, 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, RF Drew Stubbs, LHP Giovanni Soto.

The Pirates play their annual  intrasquad game at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla. Top pitching prospects Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon will start opposite each other. Here are the lineups:

Black (Cole): CF Alex Presley, SS Chase d’Arnaud, LF Jerry Sands, 1B Clint Robinson, DH Brandon Inge, 3B Jared Goedert, 2B Josh Harrison, C Michael McKenry, LF Felix Pie.

Gold (Taillon): LF Starling Marte, RF Jose Tabata, 3B Matt Hague, 1B Gaby Sanchez, DH Brad Hawpe, SS Jordy Mercer, C Tony Sanchez, 2B Ivan De Jesus, CF Darren Ford.

The Pirates open the Grapefruit League season Saturday at the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05 p.m.

–Tony Battaglia

It’s time to put down the fungo bats and stretch bands.

Spring training games are less than week away.

The Cleveland Indians kick off the Cactus League in Arizona with back-to-back games Feb. 22-23 against the Cincinnati Reds, who share spacious, multi-field Goodyear Park with the Tribe.

The Pittsburgh Pirates start the Grapefruit League season Feb. 23 at Charlotte Sports Park (Port Charlotte, Fla.) against the Tampa Bay Rays.

With camps now under way, here’s a look at what I think the Indians’ and Pirates’ 25-man rosters will look like on opening day:

Indians’ starting lineup: 1. Michael Bourn (CF), 2. Jason Kipnis (2B), 3. Asdrubal Cabrera (SS), 4. Nick Swisher (1B/RF), 5. Carlos Santana (C), 6. Mark Reynolds (DH/1B), 7. Michael Brantley (LF), 8. Lonnie Chisenhall (3B), 9 Drew Stubbs (RF/DH)

Indians’ reserves: Mike Aviles (IF/DH), Lou Marson (C), Ezequiel Carrera (OF), Jason Giambi (1B/DH)

Indians’ rotation: Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Brett Myers, Zach McAllister, Trevor Bauer

Indians’ relievers: Chris Perez, Vinnie Pestano, Joe Smith, Matt Capps, Matt Albers, Cody Allen, David Huff

Pirates’ starting lineup: 1. Starling Marte (LF), 2. Neil Walker (2B), 3. Andrew McCutchen (CF), 4. Garrett Jones (1B), 5. Pedro Alvarez (3B), 6. Russell Martin (C), 7. Travis Snider (RF), 8. Clint Barmes (SS)

Pirates’ reserves: Jose Tabata (OF), Gaby Sanchez (1B), Alex Presley (OF), Michael McKenry (C), Josh Harrison (3B)

Pirates’ rotation: A.J. Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez, James McDonald, Jeff Karstens, Jeff Locke (until Francisco Liriano is healthy)

Pirates’ relievers: Jason Grilli, Mark Melancon, Jared Hughes, Tony Watson, Chris Leroux, Jeanmar Gomez

Agree or disagree with my projections? Post comments to let me know what you think.

–Tony Battaglia

Were you an Albert Belle fan when he was with the Cleveland Indians?

If so, make plans for Cleveland on June 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays when the Indians will give away a Belle bobblehead.

The bobblehead has Belle, once one of the most feared hitters in baseball, flexing his muscles.

Sounds like a must-add to any bobblehead collection.

– Rick Green (follow me on Twitter @ETNrgreen)