Francisco was released by the Diamondbacks on Sunday, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Francisco played independent ball in 2014, after struggling during a brief stint with the Yankees in 2013. Now 33 years old, he apparently didn't warrant consideration for the Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster.

Francisco signed a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks on Monday, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

Francisco spent 2014 in independent baseball with the Lancaster Barnstormers, but will receive a shot to play in the minors in the Diamondbacks organization. There is no indication that the deal includes an invite to spring training, but it is a possibility. The 33-year-old last played in the majors in 2013, batting .114/.220/.182 in 21 games with the Yankees.

Padres signed OF Ben Francisco to a minor league contract, assigned him to Triple-A Tucson.

Francisco was released by the Yankees earlier this month after batting just .114/.220/.182 in 50 plate appearances. He'll provide some depth in the minors.

Yankees released OF Ben Francisco.

Francisco was designated for assignment by the Yankees late last month and will now seek an opportunity elsewhere. The 31-year-old batted just .114/.220/.182 in 50 plate appearances with New York.

Yankees designated OF Ben Francisco for assignment.

The move was made in order to clear room on the roster for David Huff. Francisco was given a decent chance at playing time given the Yankees' injuries, but he failed to take advantage in putting up a horrid .114/.220/.182 batting line. He'll likely clear waivers but should draw some interest if he doesn't want to report to Triple-A.

Ben Francisco went 0-for-4 as the Yankees' No. 2 hitter in Monday's loss.

Francisco had a nice spring, but then the Yankees gave him four at-bats in two weeks and he's been useless since his role expanded a week ago. What makes the usage especially odd as he hasn't had even one start in the outfield (he's played a total of three innings there). If the Yankees aren't going to put him to use there, they should be able to find a better bat for his bench spot.

Ben Francisco is serving as the Yankees' designated hitter in Monday's season-opener against the Red Sox.

The Yankees are limping into the 2013 regular season. Brett Gardner is leading off and playing center, and is followed by Eduardo Nunez (SS), Robinson Cano (2B), Kevin Youkilis (1B), Vernon Wells (LF), Francisco (DH), Ichiro Suzuki (RF), Jayson Nix (3B) and Francisco Cervelli (C). CC Sabathia will be on the bump.

Yankees purchased the contract of OF Ben Francisco from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Francisco latched on with the Yankees earlier this month after he was given his release by the Indians. He's likely to get at-bats in left field against left-handed pitching, but that doesn't leave much room for fantasy value.

Ben Francisco hit his first two homers of the spring Saturday versus the Tigers.

Francisco, who was signed to a minor league contract on March 11, is 14-for-40 with 10 extra-base hits in 18 games for the Indians and Yankees this spring. He's likely to make the Bombers as a left fielder against left-handers.

Yankees signed OF Ben Francisco to a minor league contract.

Francisco requested and was granted his release from the Indians in order to pursue what it a better opportunity for him. He should have no trouble earning a roster spot and could receive a good amount of playing time in left field while Curtis Granderson is sidelined.

The New York Post's Joel Sherman reports that the Yankees are interested in Ben Francisco.

Francisco asked for and was given his release by the Indians earlier Monday, so he should sign on somewhere soon. Andy Martino of the New York Daily News suspects that the Mets might also be interested in him. Francisco has batted .400/.520/.700 this spring.

Indians released OF Ben Francisco.

Francisco requested the release. It's not clear if he has a chance to catch on with another major league club or if he might be pursuing an overseas opportunity. He batted .400/.520/.700 with the Indians this spring.

Indians signed OF Ben Francisco to a minor league contract.

He'll be in big league camp in spring training and has a good shot at cracking the Opening Day roster. Francisco batted just .240/.285/.385 with four homers and a .670 OPS last season between the Blue Jays, Astros and Rays. He's a career .257/.326/.425 hitter across six seasons.

Ben Francisco's agent, John Boggs, told Mark Hale of the New York Post that the Yankees and Mets are among the teams who have expressed interest in his client.

Boggs says three other teams are interested and that he and is client are looking for the "best opportunity" and "who will offer the most at-bats." While Francisco is a right-handed hitting outfielder, he has been marginally better against right-handed pitchers during his career. The 31-year-old batted just .240/.285/.385 with four homers and a .670 OPS last season between the Blue Jays, Astros and Rays.

The Giants have spoken to Ben Francisco's agent, John Boggs.

The San Francisco Chronicle's John Shea thinks they're looking at him as a possible platoon partner with Gregor Blanco in left field. Francisco has actually been a better hitter against right-handers in his career, though, and batted only .240/.285/.385 overall in 2012.

Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said the team "still definitely has interest" in Ben Francisco.

The Rays non-tendered Francisco last week, but they wouldn't mind having him back on a lesser deal. The 31-year-old outfielder batted just .240/.285/.385 with four homers, 15 RBI and a .670 OPS in 192 plate appearances this past season.

Rays non-tendered OF Ben Francisco.

Francisco was the Rays' only non-tender. The 31-year-old outfielder batted just .240/.285/.385 with four homers, 15 RBI and a .670 OPS in 192 plate appearances this past season between the Blue Jays, Astros and Rays. He may have to settle for a spring training invite this winter.

Rays acquired OF Ben Francisco from the Astros for a player to be named later.

Francisco is batting just .242/.292/.370 with two home runs, seven RBI and a .662 OPS in 144 plate appearances this season between Houston and Toronto, but he has been a useful outfielder in the past. The 30-year-old will be eligible for the postseason roster if the Rays make it that far.

Ben Francisco was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with right wrist discomfort.

The Astros went with an outfield of Fernando Martinez, Brandon Barnes and Jimmy Paredes instead. It's not clear at this point how long Francisco might be sidelined.

Blue Jays activated OF Ben Francisco from the 15-day disabled list.

There was speculation that he might be sent to Triple-A when healthy, but Francisco will return to his backup outfielder role with the Jays. He was batting just .206/.270/.265 before a hamstring injury.