KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Jeff Francoeur has made the Atlanta Braves' opening-day roster with an impressive showing in spring training.
The Braves told the 32-year-old outfielder on Tuesday he will be added to their major league roster.
Under baseball's labor contract, the Braves were required to keep him, release him or pay a $100,000 retention bonus if he was willing to continue with his minor league contract. Francoeur made it clear he wouldn't go back to the minors.
Turns out, that wasn't an issue. Francoeur earned a backup role by hitting .327 with one homer and four RBIs through 19 spring games.
He is back with his hometown team, where he began his career in 2005 as a heralded prospect who made the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Nationals: Matt Belisle wins a job
WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have informed right-handed reliever Matt Belisle that he made the 25-man roster.
Belisle signed on the eve of spring training and on Tuesday the Nationals said they will add him to the roster.
MLB
The 35-year-old had a 4.26 ERA and held opponents to a .182 batting average in 6 1/3 innings in six appearances during spring training.
Belisle played for new Nationals manager Dusty Baker with the Cincinnati Reds but said the attraction of winning drew him to Washington. Early in spring training he said his mind-set is on preparing for October because he wants to "be an asset" for the Nationals.
He'll be part of a reconstructed bullpen for Washington.
Twins: Nolasco makes the rotation
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Minnesota Twins have finalized their 25-man regular season roster, making right-hander Ricky Nolasco their fifth starter.
The Twins announced Tuesday they've optioned right-hander Tyler Duffey to Triple-A Rochester with left-hander Ryan O'Rourke. Left-hander Logan Darnell and right-hander Brandon Kintzler were reassigned to minor-league camp.
Duffey, who was competing with Nolasco, went 5-1 with a 3.10 ERA in 10 starts as a rookie last year. Nolasco has a 5.64 ERA over his last two injury-affected seasons with the Twins. He'll follow Ervin Santana, Kyle Gibson, Phil Hughes and Tommy Milone in the rotation.
O'Rourke, Darnell and Kintzler were the last cuts from the bullpen. That gave right-hander Michael Tonkin and left-hander Fernando Abad the last two spots, behind Glen Perkins, Kevin Jepsen, Trevor May, Casey Fien and Ryan Pressly.