Tribe signs two veterans to Minor League deals

The Indians signed Major League veterans Mark Lowe and George Kottaras to Minor League contracts on Thursday, and both players were assigned to Triple-A Columbus. Lowe, a right-handed reliever, and Kottaras, a catcher, will give the Indians some needed depth in case of injury.

Kottaras, 30, batted .180 in 46 games for the Royals last season, but he's a career .273 hitter in the Minor Leagues. Kottaras has played in 295 games in the Major Leagues and has batted .214 over 692 at-bats. He's played for the Red Sox, Brewers and A's in addition to Kansas City.

Lowe went 1-0 with a 9.26 ERA in 11 appearances for the Angels last year, but he has a career 4.17 ERA in 264 appearances in the Majors. The 30-year-old began his career with the Mariners and has also pitched for Texas. Lowe was in camp with Tampa Bay this spring before being cut.

Center fielder Michael Bourn, currently sidelined with a strained left hamstring, will begin his rehab assignment Thursday night as Triple-A Columbus begins its season against Triple-A Indianapolis. Kottaras is one of three catchers at Indianapolis, along with Luke Carlin and Roberto Perez.