GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The Indians made two players happy and two players sad Saturday. They will not be the last to share those emotions before the Indians open the season on March 31 in Oakland.

Reliever Vinnie Pestano and utility man Elliot Johnson were told that they had made the 25-man roster. The news was not so good for veteran outfielders Jeff Francoeur and Matt Carson.

Francoeur was released and Carson was told he would not make the club. Carson will stay with the Tribe until the end of camp and then report to Class AAA Columbus.

GM Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona talked to several other players, telling them where they stood and that a final decision had not been made. Outfielder Nyjer Morgan and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall were among them.

Pestano, coming off the worst year in his career, has a 1.50 ERA in six appearances this spring. He’s allowed one run in six innings with five strikeouts and two walks this spring. The opposition is hitting .100 against him.

"I worked hard in the offseason and I've work hard this spring to get back to get back on the right track to where I was," said Pestano. "But there is still work to be done. Just because I'm on the opening day roster doesn't mean you're going to be there down the stretch. I found that out last year."

Johnson, who came to camp on a minor-league deal, is hitting .350 (14-for-40) with two doubles, two triples, two homers and eight RBI this spring. Francona has used him all over the infield and outfield.

"I was hopeful," said Jobnson. "My expectations were that I'd be playing in the big leagues and I wanted it to be for this team. Chris (Antonetti) and the Indians were the most aggressive team on me all offseason."

By making the opening day roster, Johnson guaranteed himself a salary of $930,000 plus incentives.

"They told me it didn't matter how much I hit," said Johnson. "I know I helped myself (by hitting well), but they know what I can and can't do. It was just a matter of how things fell into place with other spots on the field.

"They told me at the beginning they were going to put together the team that complements each other best. I think they feel I complement the players who are already here."

Francoeur, like Johnson, came to camp on a minor-league deal. He hit .286 (10-for-35) with two doubles, one homer and a team-high 10 RBI in 13 games. Carson, who played mostly at Columbus last year, is hitting .250 (8-for-32) with two doubles, one homer and five RBI. He came to camp on a minor-league deal.

Antonetti said parting ways with Carson and Francoeur was not tied to the anticipation that Michael Bourn (left hamstring) would be ready for opening day. Bourn has been playing catch, and hitting a little, but it’s still not clear when he’ll be ready.

“We’re still working through the situation with Bournie,” said Antonetti. “We’ll see whether or not he’ll be ready.”

Antonetti said giving Francoeur the news was not easy.

“It was tough,” said Antonetti. “Jeff had a really good camp. We’re all confident he can help a major-league team. For us, it’s how we put all the pieces together, not individually who may be the best player.

“Elliot had a great camp. His versatility helps us expand our bench and gives us a lot of different options. He along with Mike Aviles are a great complement to the guys we have.”

Francoeur, who said he lost his confidence last year when he was released by Kansas City and San Francisco, shook hands with reporters after being released.

"I'm out of here," he said, "but at least I'm playing good again."

Last season Pestano was on the disabled list and spent a good chunk of the season at Columbus. It was a big fall after being one of the top relievers in the AL the previous two years.

“Vinnie was on a mission at the end of last season to get back to being the pitcher we all saw for the better part of his career,” said Antonetti. “He’s come into camp in a really good spot from day one. The cut is back on his fastball, His slider has good shape to it and he’s commanding his pitches pretty well. It’s been a very encouraging camp for Vinnie.”

With the addition of Pestano, the Indians have at least one more opening, depending on how many relievers Francona starts the season with. Right now, it appears these six – John Axford, Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, Marc Rzepczynski, Jeff Outman and Pestano – are in the pen. The remaining candidates are Chen-Chang Lee, Blake Wood and Carlos Carrasco/Josh Tomlin, should they not win the open spot in the rotation.

There will be a staff meeting Sunday to determine other roster moves. Antonetti said there could be some clarity in the race for the last rotation spot among Tomlin, Carrasco, Aaron Harang and Trevor Bauer.