CLEVELAND, Ohio – Outfielder Daniel Johnson and infielder Ernie Clement were among the six players sent to the minors Friday by the Indians. The roster sits at 45 and must be 25 by the season opener on March 28.

The four other players were right-hander Chih-Wei Hu, who was optioned to Class AAA Columbus. Right-hander Henry Martinez, left-hander Josh Smith, infielder Mark Mathias, Johnson and Clement were re-assigned to minor-league camp.

Veteran outfielder Matt Joyce, in camp on a minor league deal, was told by manager Terry Francona that he will not make the opening day roster.

“We told him to go home for a day,” said Francona. “We wanted to do this now so maybe his agent had a chance to talk with some other teams.”

Johnson and Clement were among the young spring-training invitees who opened some eyes this spring in Goodyear, Ariz. Johnson hit a grand slam Thursday in a 9-3 win over the Rockies. He leaves big-league camp after hitting .259 (7-for-27) with two homers and nine RBI.

“He’s a great kid and we love his tools,” Francona told reporters Thursday in Goodyear, Ariz. “But he’s got 356 at-bats at Double-A. He needs to go play.”

Johnson was one of three players the Indians received from Washington for Yan Gomes in November.

Clement hit .280 (7-for-25) with one homer and two RBI. He played at three levels last season – Class A Lake County, Class A Lynchburg and Class AA Akron.

Francona, when asked why Clement had received so much playing time this spring, said, “The reason he’s played so much – I don’t even know what his battering average is – is because he plays so hard and he so enthusiastic about whatever inning you give him. We rewarded him with (more) innings. That’s what it is.”

Martinez, in his first big-league camp, showed well. The right-hander, who also played at three minor league levels last year for the Tribe, made six appearances and didn’t allow a run in six innings. He faced 22 batters and just five reached base as he allowed two hits and three walks. Martinez struck out five.

The Indians acquired Hu from the Rays during the winter. He had a tough spring, going 0-1 with a 27.00 ERA in three appearances, including two starts. Hu allowed 12 earned runs on 13 hits in four innings.

Mathias appeared in 16 game and hit .182 (4-for-22) with two homers and two RBI. Mathias spent last season at Akron.

The Indians signed Smith as a minor-league free agent on Jan. 1. He spent last season pitching for the Reds at Class AAA Pawtucket and Class AA Portland. He made four appearances this spring, posting a 7.20 ERA (four earned runs in five innings). He struck out and walked two.

Joyce started camp in a 0-for-17 slump. He hit .185 (5-for-27) in 11 games.