Two more nonroster invitees to spring training joined the Indians on Monday, including one player starting his second tour with the team.
Utility players Ryan Raburn and Ben Francisco, both 31, have been signed to minor-league contracts.
Francisco began his professional career with the Indians as a fifth-round pick in the 2002 draft. He made his big-league debut in 2007 and was part of the deal that sent Cliff Lee to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009. He spent three years with the Phillies before making a whirlwind tour with the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays in 2012, when he batted .240 with four home runs, 15 RBI and 14 runs in 82 games.
Francisco has played mostly left and right field but also can handle center.
Raburn has spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers. In parts of seven seasons, he has batted .256 with 54 homers, 216 RBI and 223 runs.
Last year, he batted .171 with one home run and 12 RBI in 66 games. He also batted .250 in 15 games at Triple-A Toledo. His season was interrupted by trips to the disabled list for thumb and quad injuries.
Raburn has played left, right and center plus second and third base. However, he has spent most of his time in left, second base and right field.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SheldonOckerABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
