Pitcher Bruce Chen officially announced his retiremment from baseball on Monday, posting his message via Twitter.

Chen was designated for assignment by the Indians over the weekend after posting a 12.79 ERA in 6 1/3 innings of work this season. Chen has pitched in the majors since 1998, posting a career 4.62 ERA with 1,140 strikeouts and 546 walks for 11 different teams. 

Indians pitcher Bruce Chen is considering retirement after being designated for assignment this weekend, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

"You know when you talk to a guy at this point of his career, potentially he might decide to go home," manager Terry Francona said. "You want to really be respectful. He's such a good guy. I think he wants to take some time to talk to his family."

Chen struggled in a pair of starts with the Indians, giving up nine earned runs in 6 1/3 innings while striking out four. He posted a 1.74 ERA and 23:3 K:BB ratio in 31 innings across five Triple-A starts before joining the Indians rotation.

The Indians have designated for assignment left-handed starter Bruce Chen and recalled righty Austin Adams from Triple-A, the team has announced.

In two starts for the Indians this season, Chen allowed nine runs in 6 1/3 innings (12.79 ERA).

Adams made two relief appearances for the Indians before being sent to Triple-A on April 18, allowing one run in 4 2/3 innings (1.93 ERA).

Indians starting pitcher Bruce Chen lasted just 2 1/3 innings on Friday, giving up three runs on seven hits in a no-decision.

Chen surrendered back-to-back homers to Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre (400th of his career).

In two starts for the Indians this season, Chen has allowed nine runs in 6 1/3 innings (12.79 ERA).


Chen's next start is scheduled for Wednesday in Chicago against the White Sox.

Indians center fielder Michael Bourn and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall were not included in the starting lineup Friday night against left-hander Bruce Chen and the Rangers, per the team's official website.

Bourn is a .200 hitter (8 for 40) this season against southpaws. Chisenhall has fared better against left-handers, slashing .256/.326/.308 on the year. Manager Terry Francona inserted Zach Walters at third. Michael Brantley shifted to center field, with Ryan Raburn in the left field and at the cleanup spot.

The Indians announced Tuesday that veteran Bruce Chen will make Friday's start against the Rangers, as Cleveland searches to find a fifth starter, per Cleveland.com.

Chen will make his second start of the season for the Tribe, and his first did not go well. Chen started last Saturday and gave up six runs on 10 hits in four innings, prompting Indians manager Terry Francona to then say Chen would pitch in relief. 

Chen is 82-81 with a 4.61 ERA for 11 teams in his career. 

Indians manager Terry Francona said that Bruce Chen would pitch in relief for the time being, per MLB.com. 

Chen started on Saturday and gave up six runs on 10 hits in four innings. The Indians will likely look to Shaun Marcum , currently at Triple-A Columbus to fill the fifth-starter role the next time through the rotation. 

Francona told the media on Tuesday that the Indians are still "working through" the fifth-starter situation. 

The Indians aren't sure who the fifth starter will be for the next turn through the rotation. 

T.J. House is still on the disabled list and not expected back in time to start next Friday, the next time the Indians will need a fifth starter. 

Bruce Chen filled the role on Saturday, but the veteran gave up six runs in four innings. Manager Terry Francona said Chen might be used in relief for the next few days, per Cleveland.com.

Shaun Marcum is another option. He allowed four hits in eight shutout innings in his most recent start at Triple-A Columbus.

"There are a few ways this could go," Francona said. 

The Indians promoted veteran left-hander Bruce Chen for a Saturday start with the notion of keeping him in the rotation if he performed well.

The first returns were not good.

The Twins rocketed line drives all over Progressive Field. The result was six earned runs in 10 hits in four-plus innings. Chen walked one and fanned three.

Torrid Torii Hunter started his misery with a solo home run in the first. But it was in the third that Chen really got battered with three runs on five hits. After two more hits in the fifth, he was mercifully removed.

It remains to be seen if Chen gets another start with Shaun Marcum pitching well at Triple-A Columbus.

The Indians have selected the contract of pitcher Bruce Chen, who will draw the start Saturday against the Twins, while designating pitcher Anthony Swarzak for assignment.

Chen has excelled with Triple-A Columbus, going 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA and 23:3 K:BB ratio in 31 innings. He's a candidate to stick in the rotation if he can pitch well at the major-league level.

Swarzak posted a 3.38 ERA and 13:4 K:BB ratio in 13 1/3 innings with the Indians before being removed from the 25-man and 40-man rosters.

Veteran Bruce Chen has earned a start Saturday against Minnesota for the Indians, the Northeast Ohio Media Group has reported. If he performs well, the fifth spot in the rotation will likely be his.

The 37-year-old Chen is starting in place of T.J. House, who is on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. But House has been a mess on the mound all year, leaving the spot open.

The southpaw Chen has been lights-out in five outings with Triple-A Columbus. He has given up just 19 hits in 31 innings with three walks and 23 strikeouts. He boasts a 1.74 ERA.

Lefty Bruce Chen and righty Shaun Marcum are the two primary candidates to be promoted by the Indians from Triple-A Columbus to replace shelved T.J. House in the rotation, according to the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

The veteran that is chosen would start Saturday against the visiting Twins. Both have an ERA of 2.00 or under at their current levels.

Chen and Marcum performed well in spring training before their placement in the minors. Marcum was brought up briefly and yielded one run in five innings to Detroit in relief on April 12.

The fifth spot is wide open. House performed terribly in that role before going down. If Chen or Marcum pitch well, the spot could be nailed down long-term.

Indians manager Terry Francona said Wednesday pitcher Bruce Chen has indicated he will stay with the organization after being told he won't make the Opening Day roster, per MLB.com. However, the Indians have given him the right to opt out of his contract, if an MLB job becomes available.

The Indians have told pitchers Bruce Chen, Scott Downs and Shaun Marcum that they will not make the team, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports.

The Indians added that each of the pitchers can stay in camp if he wishes, but it's possible some or all could explore other opportunities.  Chen has posted a 5.00 ERA in nine spring innings, while Downs has delivered a 3.38 ERA in 5 1/3 innings. Marcum has allowed just one earned run in seven innings.

With Josh Tomlin, T.J. House, Danny Salazar, Shaun Marcum, Bruce Chen and Zach McAllister all competing for the final spot of the Indians' rotation, manager Terry Francona told reporters that a few players may end up going to Triple-A or moved to the bullpen once camp breaks, per the Plain Dealer.

"At the moment, we're comfortable," Francona said. "We've all seen where you look up a month later and things happen. The one thing you don't ever want to have happen is have your season derailed because guys go down. You try to come to camp with not only who you think are going to be your five, but you have to have some depth. We have some guys who will probably end up going to Triple-A. Maybe a guy or two ends up in the bullpen. You never know."

Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway said pitcher Bruce Chen will be competing for a spot in the rotation or bullpen this spring. Although, early in camp he will be stretched out as a starter.

"We've had some conversations," Chen said, per Cleveland.com. "I know they have some guys already penciled into some spots. There is a lot of stiff competition for that fifth spot, but I'm just here to do everything I can to help this team win."

If Chen makes the roster, he will earn $1 million, with a chance to earn another $1 million in incentives. He also has an opt-out clause for the end of spring training.

"My arm feels great. I feel like my back is as good as it's been," Chen said, per MLB.com. "I feel like I still have a lot that I can give and offer to a team."

The Indians and pitcher Bruce Chen have agreed to a minor-league contract worth $1 million with an additional $1 million in performance bonuses, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Chen pitched in 2014 for the Royals, posting a 2-4 record with a 7.45 ERA in 48 1/3 innings pitched. In his 16-year career, Chen has a 82-79 record with a 4.55 ERA and 1,135 strikeouts over 1,524 2/3 innings pitched.

The Royals released pitcher Bruce Chen Friday. He was designated for assignment last week after posting a 6.46 ERA and 35:14 K:BB ratio in 47 1/3 innings.

The Royals announced a couple of roster moves on Friday, per the team's official website. The team recalled right-handed reliever Louis Coleman from Triple-A Omaha. Pitcher Bruce Chen was designated for assignment.

Royals pitcher Bruce Chen had a big time meltdown Thursday against the Twins.

Chen entered with the game tied in the top of the 10th inning. After notching a strikeout against the first batter he faced, Chen gave up a triple and two walks to load the bases. Two singles quickly gave the Twins a three-run lead. Chen was then able to induce a pop out for the second out of the inning. With two outs, he allowed two straight doubles, plating another three runs.

When all was said and done, Chen gave up six runs on five hits during his one inning of work. His record dropped to 2-4.