Diamondbacks signed 1B Russell Branyan to a minor league contract.

It's actually a pretty good fit. Branyan slugged 25 home runs last season during stays with the Mariners and Indians, and he should be able to do even better within the power-friendly confines of Arizona's Chase Field. He may have to share time at first base with Juan Miranda and Brandon Allen, but the 35-year-old Branyan will have value in NL-only leagues that allow daily roster flexibility.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, the Padres are considering signing Russell Branyan and using him in a platoon at first base.

Olney mentions Kyle Blanks as a potential platoon partner from the right side of the plate, but he likely won't be back from Tommy John surgery until well into the season. Still, Branyan is the type of low-cost alternative that should appeal to the Padres. While his chronic back condition makes him a question mark, he has collected 56 home runs over the past two seasons. He's one of the few sluggers that may think PETCO is a walk in the park.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that Russell Branyan has left Beverly Hills Sports Council and is now represented by the Levinson Brothers at ACES.

Branyan, who is a free agent this winter, batted .237/.323/.487 with 25 homers and 57 RBI in 428 plate appearances between the Indians and Mariners this past season. His back condition remains a real concern, but the slugger has 56 homers over the past two seasons, more than Evan Longoria, Nelson Cruz and Matt Holliday.

Mariners declined DH Russell Branyan's $5 million option for 2011.

He will receive a $500,000 buyout, which the Indians are expected to cover. The 34-year-old slugger batted .237/.323/.487 with 25 homers and 57 RBI in 376 at-bats between the Indians and Mariners this season. He continues to be plagued with back issues, which makes it hard for any team to give him much of a guarantee.

Russell Branyan (back) has officially been shut down for the rest of the season.

Mariners interim manager Daren Brown hinted at the possibility Thursday. Branyan, 34, batted .237/.323/.487 with 25 homers and 57 RBI in 376 at-bats between the Indians and M's this season. His contract includes a $500,000 buyout on his $5 million mutual option for next season, which the Indians are expected to pay. Branyan still can provide some thump, but his history of back problems aren't going to help his wallet this winter.

Mariners interim manager Daren Brown said that Russell Branyan (back) likely won't play again this season.

Branyan hasn't played in two weeks due to a sore lower back and was scheduled to see a doctor Thursday. "He's feeling better," said Brown. "With his history, I know the question is, 'Will he play?' We only have four games left. We'll see what the doctor says. But this late in the year, unless something dramatic happens, he hasn't seen live pitching in a while, it becomes the same risk-reward type thing. What's the risk, what's the reward?" The great majority of fantasy owners aren't losing sleep over Branyan, anyway, so this isn't a huge loss.

It's possible Russell Branyan (back) might not return this season.

Branyan hasn't played since Wednesday due to an ongoing back injury. "Russell is day-to-day, but with his history this might linger a bit," manager Daren Brown said. "It's not something we're going to mess with." The M's are keeping open the possibility that Branyan will return as early as this weekend, but that seems unlikely.

Russell Branyan (back) hit off a tee and took batting practice Tuesday.

Branyan was available as a pinch-hitter Tuesday, however he did not make an appearance. "We'll make sure he feels good (Wednesday)," said Mariners interim manager Daren Brown. "We're just taking it easy. With his history, I think that's the safest way to do it." Branyan has missed the past four games with lower back soreness.

Russell Branyan has been scratched from Friday's lineup due to a back injury.

Branyan dealt with back problems back in late July, so odds are it's a flareup of the previous injury. It's not clear how long this will keep him on the shelf. Matt Tuiasosopo replaced Branyan in the lineup at DH.

Russell Branyan hit two homers and had four RBI off A.J. Burnett in Friday's 6-0 romp over the Yankees.

Branyan is playing about five times a week and now has five homers in his last 16 games. The veteran slugger's insane strikeout rate isn't going anywhere and his batting average will remain low, but AL-only owners in need of power can find it here.

Russell Branyan returned to action on Saturday July 31.

Russell Branyan sat out Thursday's game due to back spasms.

M's manager Don Wakamatsu called it a "precautionary day off," since Branyan played the previous two games after missing a week with back soreness. He's day-to-day.

Russell Branyan returned to action on Tuesday July 27.

Russell Branyan (back) could return to the starting lineup on Tuesday.

"I told him all along, even yesterday, where he thought he might be able to hit...we're just real conscious of making sure he's 100 percent so we don't have a recurrence of this,'' said M's manager Don Wakamatsu. "To me, it's let's get him out there, have him go through a full batting practice and see where he's at." Branyan hasn't played since last Monday due to lingering back stiffness.

Russell Branyan is expected to miss a couple games due to back stiffness.

Branyan left Monday's game in the fifth inning and was held out of the lineup on Tuesday. "I'll leave it in their hands this time," said Branyan. "You saw what happened when I tried to make the call last year. I don't know when to stop."

Russell Branyan (toe) could sit out the entire series against the Angels this weekend.

Branyan was injured when a hotel table fell on his foot Thursday morning. His playing time is slated to be cut dramatically, anyway, with the arrival of Justin Smoak. At this point he should be owned only in deeper AL-only leagues.

Russell Branyan suffered a cut when a hotel table fell on his foot Thursday and is not in the Mariner's starting lineup.

Branyan has hit .258/.329/.493 in 42 at-bats since the Mariners acquired him from the Indians for outfield prospect Ezequiel Carrera and shortstop prospect Juan Diaz in late June. He's not a great fantasy option in mixed leagues at a position where good value is easy to come by.

Mariners acquired 1B Russell Branyan from the Indians for CF Ezequiel Carrera and SS Juan Diaz.

Let the firesale begin. Branyan, 34, has batted .263/.328/.491 this season for the Tribe with 10 home runs and 24 RBI, and is working on a seven-game hitting streak. He should provide the Mariners with some much-needed offense, just as he did when he posted an 867 OPS and 31 home runs last season in Seattle. The Indians are on the hook for his remaining $2 million salary.

Russell Branyan hit a walkoff two-run single on Thursday to help the Indians over the Red Sox 8-7.

Branyan and the Tribe had no trouble mounting a charge against Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard, racking up two walks and two earned runs against him. Branyan is hitting .252 this year with 19 RBI in limited action.

Russell Branyan smacked two home runs and drove in three runs in Tuesday's 8-2 Indians victory over the Royals.

Now this is the Branyan that Cleveland was looking for when they signed him from Seattle over the offseason. He was 3-for-5 overall and saw 23 pitches from Kansas City hurlers while striking out twice. Branyan has struggled this year, but improved to .250/.333/.475 on the season Tuesday.