TEMPE, Ariz. -- The seemingly inevitable news came Sunday, when the Indians announced that Russell Branyan will open the 2010 regular season on the 15-day disabled list.

What that means for the composition of the Opening Day roster won't be known until Thursday, when manager Manny Acta is expected to announce his decision on all the Tribe's remaining spring battles.

Branyan is supposed to be the Tribe's first baseman this season, but he won't be starting the season opener on April 5 in Chicago because of a herniated disk in his lower back. That leaves Matt LaPorta at first base and left field -- the spot LaPorta is slated to occupy, once Branyan's aboard -- wide open for Austin Kearns, Michael Brantley or Trevor Crowe.

The Indians knew of Branyan's condition when they signed off on his one-year deal with a $2 million guarantee, and they found the risk to be tolerable. Branyan's back, however, has not cooperated at a timetable that correlates with that of the team. He hasn't appeared in any exhibition games, and he took batting practice for the first time Saturday.

"Just not enough time," Acta said. "It wasn't just about the at-bats. He could go in a Minor League game and have nine at-bats a day. But it's the everyday standing around on his feet for three hours."

How long will it take for Branyan, who will begin appearing in Minor League games on Tuesday and could still see time in an "A" game this final week of camp, to get adequately prepared for that grind?

"He's made consistently positive progress," general manager Mark Shapiro said. "He has a good chance to get into a game this week ... We're comfortable saying sometime in the first two weeks of the season he's going to be ready to play, if there are no setbacks."

The Indians are not billing this development as a setback. They felt they had enough bodies to fill a lineup before the 34-year-old Branyan came aboard last month, and they feel they have enough talent now.

"It's not like we can't field a team without him," Shapiro said. "He represents upside to our existing club."

If Branyan doesn't get into a Cactus game, his placement on the DL can be back-dated to March 27. In that scenario, he'd be eligible to come off the DL the second week of the season.

Obviously, Branyan's stay on the DL could be a short one, or his absence could be lengthened by unforeseen developments in his rehabilitation program. Backs are tricky that way.

So it's too early to tell how impactful the Indians' left-field decision truly will be. Nonetheless, it's a situation that, like most baseball decisions, has a business backbone.

Kearns is in camp on a Minor League contract, so the Indians would have to clear room on their 40-man roster, which is currently full, to add him. If he's not on the Opening Day roster, he has an out clause in his contract that allows him to become a free agent.

It's safe to assume Kearns will be on the club in some capacity. If he doesn't get the left field job, he can fill in as the fourth outfielder. He entered Sunday's game against the Angels with a .306 average and has shown no ill-effects after missing the last two months of '09 with the Nationals following thumb surgery.

"Early in camp, we monitored his swings to make sure he was fine," Acta said. "He's responded. He's played well ... I always liked him, because he's a pro. He goes hard every single day. He's a great teammate. He's one of those guys that can only help you, when he's healthy. He's the ultimate pro."

Acta has equally glowing things to say about Brantley, who took a .343 spring average and .909 OPS into Sunday's game, in which he led off and played center field.

"He's a ballplayer, man," Acta said of Brantley. "He's impressive. He's the definition of a ballplayer. He's a coach's dream. This guy is fundamentally sound and mature beyond his age. He can run, swing the bat, he takes pitches. He's going to be a very good player for this organization for a lot of years."

But the Indians want to ensure Brantley remains under their contractual control for as many years as possible. Giving him a spot on the Opening Day roster would ensure his big-league service time, which currently stands at 34 days after his stellar September debut last season, would continue to accumulate, inching him closer toward 2010 counting toward his arbitration-eligibility.

Having Brantley on the Major League team for more than half of the 2010 season could cost the Indians a year of control later. He could be eligible for arbitration in 2012, instead of 2013, and free agency in 2015, instead of 2016.

"You have to look at it as a business decision," Brantley said. "My goal is to get to the big leagues and stay in the big leagues. Whether it has to do with arbitration or not, they have to make their decision. I look forward to playing for the Indians or the [Columbus] Clippers or wherever I happen to be. I look forward to the opportunity to play this game."

Because the Indians hope to have Branyan back relatively soon, this point could be moot at this juncture, anyway. But it's certainly an issue worth tracking this season.

For now, Branyan's status ensures LaPorta, who has yet to set foot in the outfield this spring, is staying put at first. It could also benefit Andy Marte, who is out of Minor League options and might be needed to lessen the load on LaPorta, who had October surgeries on his left hip and left big toe, at first.

Crowe is doubtful to claim the starting job in left, but he could augment Acta's bench as a switch-hitter with speed. Brantley is going to play every day, no matter where he lands.