Restricted List Next for Mesa

The Cleveland Indians received permission from the commissioner’s office to put Jose Mesa on the restricted list while the closer is on trial for rape. The ruling means Cleveland will not have to start the season a player short. Mesa can stay on the list indefinitely beginning March 31, the first day of his trial. . . . Japanese baseball officials have told major league officials they intend to write to several independent league teams and tell them they can’t sign pitcher Hideki Irabu because the Chiba Lotte Marines have reserved his rights. But lawyers for the leagues and Irabu dispute the claim. . . . Texas placed outfielder Juan Gonzalez on the 21-day disabled list. . . .Minnesota reassigned outfielder Eric Anthony to its minor-league camp and told him he was free to make his own deal with another team.