Branyan has signed a minor league deal with the Indians.

Presumably, he'll get a look from the Indians at some point in September when rosters expand. Branyan hasn't been in the big leagues since 2011, but he spent 65 games in the Mexican League with Tijuana this summer, hitting .296/.423/.620 with 19 homers in 272 plate appearances.

Yankees released 1B Russell Branyan; re-signed him to a minor league contract.

We're assuming that Branyan was released only for procedural reasons, most likely due to the changes in the new collective bargaining agreement. The veteran slugger hasn't appeared in any Grapefruit League games this spring due to lingering issues with his back, but will start the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre once he's back to full health.

Russell Branyan has been dealing with a back injury since the beginning of camp.

Whatever chance Branyan might have had to make the Opening Day roster is dwindling rapidly. He'll likely begin the year at Triple-A, though it's not clear if he might have an opt-out clause in his deal if he doesn't crack the 25-man roster.

Yankees signed 1B/DH Russell Branyan to a minor league contract.

The deal includes a spring training invite. Branyan batted .197/.295/.370 with five home runs and 14 RBI in 146 plate appearances last season between the Diamondbacks and Angels. The 36-year-old offers some pop from the left side of the plate, but his addition is not expected to impact the club's pursuit of Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Raul Ibanez.

Russell Branyan intends to continue his playing career.

Branyan has struggled to find much free agent interest this offseason, but that could change as spring training approaches and teams look to add roster depth. The 36-year-old first baseman batted .197/.295/.370 with five home runs and 14 RBI in 146 plate appearances last season between the Diamondbacks and Angels.

Russell Branyan hit a two-run homer in Los Angeles' loss to the Rangers on Monday.

He took Alexi Ogando deep in the seventh. The bomb was Branyan's second in five days after he went over a month without one. Glued to the Halos bench, he's not worth a look in even deep AL-only leagues.

Russell Branyan hit his first homer as an Angel in the win over the Dodgers on Sunday night.

It was a two-run shot in the seventh inning that gave the Angels a 3-1 lead. Branyan entered the game with a .171/.222/.195 line in 41 at-bats with the Halos. He still might be a bad week or two away from being cut.

Russell Branyan is starting at first base for the Angels against the Twins on Saturday.

He started at DH on Friday. GM Tony Reagins recently hinted that Branyan could get the start at first most days when the Angels are facing right-handed pitching, and with the Twins throwing easy-to-hit righty Anthony Swarzak on Saturday, Branyan could be in for a nice night.

Angels GM Tony Reagins indicated that the newly signed Russell Branyan could receive the bulk of the playing time at first base against right-handed pitching.

"We've had some discussions over the last two weeks about the offense and being able to match up (Mark) Trumbo better against left-handed pitching," Reagins said. "We thought Russell was a viable option to give Mark some breaks against right-handed pitching." It makes sense, as Branyan has mashed right-handed pitching the last few seasons, while Trumbo has posted just a .708 OPS against them this year as opposed to an .822 mark against lefties. Branyan should also see some time in the DH slot, with Bobby Abreu moving to the outfield and Peter Bourjos to the bench.

Angels signed 1B/DH Russell Branyan.

Making his first start of the month, Russell Branyan went 0-for-4 against the Giants on Thursday.

Even after today, Branyan is hitting .280 and slugging .465 in 12 games as a first baseman. However, the Diamondbacks have gone to Juan Miranda there most of the time, and Branyan hasn't contributed off the bench, goinv 0-for-12 as a pinch-hitter. One wonders if they might just end up releasing him.

Russell Branyan started at first base for the third straight game Friday.

Juan Miranda opened the year as the primary first baseman, but has just four starts compared to five for Branyan. Even though Branyan is a more established hitter and is off to a better start with the bat, Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson isn't ready to say which way he's leaning. "That's probably the reason why I reserve a lot of the things I say," said Gibson. "You can always change your mind. Juan's going to get his playing time, but right now I felt this was the right way to go. Tomorrow it may be somebody different." We think Branyan will end up with the most at-bats here, so it would be wise to file him away in NL-only leagues.

Russell Branyan got another start at first base Wednesday against the Cardinals and went 2-for-4 with a homer and a walk.

We figured Juan Miranda would return to the lineup after he hit a three-run homer off the bench Tuesday, but manager Kirk Gibson stuck with Branyan instead and the slugger had another nice game. He looks like the superior option at first base right now.

Russell Branyan crushed his fifth home run of the spring on Monday against the Rangers.

The streaky, aging veteran is now batting .429 with an impressive 21 RBI this spring. It's impossible to believe he'll manage to stay healthy this year, but he looks worth a roster spot in all formats, at least to begin the season.

Russell Branyan went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and an RBI single in Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Rangers.

Branyan has been on fire all spring, batting .457 with four home runs and 16 RBI. The 35-year-old has the ability to opt out of his contract on March 25, so if the D'Backs aren't willing to guarantee him at least a platoon spot at first base he may exercise that option. We're betting on him sticking around, though, and playing quite a bit.

Russell Branyan is no guarantee to accept anything other than a job starting or platooning with the Diamondbacks.

Regarding a spot on the bench, Branyan replied, "If that's what's offered to me, that's something I'll have to sit down and take a long, hard look at." His contract permits him to opt out by March 25, so the D-Backs will have to weigh that when making their final decision in the coming days.

Russell Branyan went 3-for-4 with two singles and a solo home run in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Brewers.

It's Branyan's third home run of the spring, and he's hitting a robust .464 thus far. Juan Miranda is considered the favorite for the first base job, but Branyan is nipping at his heels and is going to get quite a bit of playing time regardless.

Russell Branyan went 1-for-3 against the Angels on Sunday, doubling off Jered Weaver.

The aging slugger is hitting .421 through his first 14 at-bats this spring. Branyan figures to benefit from his move to the National League, but playing in a division with so many tough right-handed pitchers could be tough for a lefty slugger that depends on feasting on righties.

Russell Branyan clubbed a three-run homer in a loss to the Rockies on Tuesday.

Branyan's three-run shot was part of a four-run rally in the top of the fourth that put the D-Backs in front for a brief time, but they weren't able to hold the lead. The oft-injured slugger is currently competing with Juan Miranda and Brandon Allen for playing time at first base.

Russell Branyan collected singles in both of his at-bat Sunday in the Diamondbacks' 4-3 win over the Giants.

He was then replaced by Juan Miranda, who had a two-run single of his own. With Xavier Nady likely to play left field for the most part, it looks like Branyan, Miranda and Brandon Allen are battling for playing time at first base in Arizona. Allen has the most upside of the group, but he lacks the experience of the other two and might be destined to spend some more time in Triple-A.