Indians first baseman Russell Branyan will miss Opening Day with a herniated disc, making Matt LaPorta the starter at first base when the Indians play the White Sox, April 5, in Chicago. Branyan had a career year last year in Seattle, hitting .251, his second-best batting average of his career when he has logged over 200 at bats. Branyan also crushed 31 home runs and drove in 76 RBIs.

Is that a sign of a breakout year for Branyan? Many doubt he will be able to produce for the Indians, and discard his 31 homers last year as a fluke. Branyan looks to prove the doubters wrong this year, but will have to let his herniated disc heal first before he gets the chance to pick up where he left off last season.