Indians’ Lofton Returns to Field

Kenny Lofton returned to the field Saturday less than four months after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder, starting in center field in the Cleveland Indians’ final exhibition.

The Indians said Lofton probably will start in Monday’s opener at Baltimore, but a final decision will not be made until today.

“I thought he did good,” Indian Manager Charlie Manuel said. “He got the feel of being in the game. He didn’t have to make any throws. If he feels like this [today], we’ll open the season with him.”

Lofton had appeared in three exhibitions before Saturday, all as a designated hitter. He is six for 12 with a home run and two stolen bases.

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The Tampa Bay Devil Rays put third baseman Vinny Castilla and outfielder Jose Guillen on the 15-day disabled list.

Castilla was put on the disabled list retroactive to March 25 because of a strained muscle in his side. Guillen went on the disabled list retroactive to Tuesday because of tendinitis in his right shoulder.

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Juan Guzman of the Devil Rays, who hadn’t pitched since March 18 because of tightness in his upper back, gave up 11 runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings of a 15-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Lakeland, Fla.

Guzman threw 82 pitches without pain in the spring training finale for both teams. The results were secondary, Guzman said. The status of his back was the main issue.

“Physically, I felt fine. That’s what I was looking for,” said Guzman, who was signed as a free agent by the Devil Rays during the winter. “I was able to make my pitches, and I feel good physically.”