GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Indians All-Star closer Chris Perez could be sidelined one month because of a strained shoulder.

Perez, who saved 39 games last season, will not throw for the next week to 10 days. Once he resumes his program, the Indians estimate he will be pitching in games in three or four weeks.

Indians manager Terry Francona said he wasn't sure whether Perez would be OK for opening day.

"I don't know. One thing, we're going to do is take care of it so it's gone and he can pitch effectively. That's kind of an artificial deadline because when he's good to go, that's when he'll pitch," Francona said.

"He's down for 10 days and then start his throwing program. We'll see where he's at at the end of spring training. If he is good to go, it obviously effects us nothing," he said. "If he's not we'll probably back up Vinnie (Pestano to the closer's role) and back everybody up a little bit. For right now it doesn't change anything in spring training."

The injury will prevent Perez from playing for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

It is the second straight spring training Perez has been injured. He strained a muscle in his left side during his first bullpen session on Feb. 23 last year but recovered in time for opening day, when he allowed three runs in the ninth against Toronto in a game the Blue Jays won in 16 innings.

"I'm not saying nothing," Perez told reporters Friday as he drove out of Cleveland's spring training complex.

Cruz cleared after chest discomfort
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz was cleared of more serious issues Friday after team doctors diagnosed a muscle strain in his chest.

Assistant general manager Thad Levine said Cruz was sent to a hospital to rule out anything else. The Rangers later said in a statement that several tests were negative and Cruz was being released after a stress test, which general manager Jon Daniels said he passed.

Cruz can resume baseball activities Saturday.

"I think our guys made the right call," Daniels said. "Better safe than sorry to have him checked out."

Daniels said Cruz's status for the World Baseball Classic will depend on how he feels Saturday. Cruz was set to leave Sunday to join the Dominican Republic for the WBC.

The 32-year-old Cruz leads the Rangers with five RBIs this spring training, although he's hitting just .214. He played a career-high 159 games last season, hitting .260 with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs.

Cano says contract status not a distraction
TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano says his contract status is on his mind, though not a distraction.

Cano is due $15 million in the final season of what became a $57 million, six-year deal and is eligible for free agency after the World Series.

A day after Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the team had made a significant offer during the offseason to Cano's agent, Scott Boras, Cano declined to address the matter Friday but did say: "It's never going to go out of your head."

"I don't want to be a distraction to the team," Cano added. "Just focus on playing baseball."

He hit .313 with 33 homers and 94 RBIs last year but was 3 for 40 (.075) with no homers and four RBIs during the playoffs, including a postseason-record 0-for-29 skid.

"I have one more year on my contract," Cano said. "I have to perform and help the team win another championship."