Justin Masterson pitched well again in Friday's victory over the Rockies, allowing a pair of runs on five hits over six strong innings.

Masterson punched out six on the afternoon while walking two. The two runs allowed, were the first two that he's allowed all spring, having fired 13 consecutive scoreless innings entering Friday's start. He owns a sterling 20/4 K/BB ratio through 19 innings in Arizona.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti on Friday left the door open for the team and Justin Masterson to re-open extension talks.

However, in all likelihood it sure sounds like Masterson is going to hit the open market next winter. The right-hander was reportedly willing to accept a very reasonable two- or three-year deal worth around $17 million per season, but the Indians weren't willing to give him more than around $14 million per year. Masterson isn't going to have trouble netting more than that on the open market.

The Indians and Justin Masterson were about $3 million per year off in contract extension talks, reports CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.

Earlier this month Masterson approached the Indians with two contract proposals -- two- and three-year deals -- which each averaged about $17 million per year. Cleveland's counter offer Thursday of around two years, $28 million with a third-year team option was quickly rejected. Masterson was said to have been open to deferring money, too. "We tried to work with them and be flexible, and we tried to look at the situation given Justin's desire to play for the Indians," Masterson's agent Randy Rowley said. "We were happy to do something that made sense. We tried to be flexible and sensitive." Masterson will make $9.7625 million in his final year before free agency. Cleveland has already threatened that they'll extend a qualifying offer at year's end.

Contract extension talks between the Indians and Justin Masterson have broken off.

"Free agency at end of season appears likely," adds FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. Masterson reportedly made three- to four-year proposals to the Indians believed to be in the $40-60 million range; even the highest range would have fallen beneath the $17.5 million AAV recently forked over to Homer Bailey. Masterson will make $9.7625 million in his final year before free agency. The 28-year-old is coming off a great season in which he posted a 3.45 ERA with 195 strikeouts over 193 innings.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Indians have yet to respond to Justin Masterson's contract extension proposals from earlier this month.

Masterson has reportedly made three- to four-year proposals to the Indians believed to be in the $40-60 million range. They're very reasonable proposals, but the cost-conscious Indians have yet to bite on them. Heyman says the offers remain on the table and the two side would still like to hammer out a long-term deal before Opening Day. Masterson will make $9.7625 million in his final year before free agency.

Justin Masterson was outstanding in Sunday's Cactus League victory over the Cubs, scattering just two hits over five scoreless innings of work.

The 28-year-old punched out eight on the afternoon without issuing a walk. He's now hurled 13 scoreless innings to begin the Cactus League season, while compiling a dynamite 14/2 K/BB ratio in 13 innings. So far, he's done his best to prove that his breakout 2013 season wasn't a fluke.

Indians manager Terry Francona on Tuesday named Justin Masterson his Opening Day starter.

It was a mere formality. Masterson, who will making his third straight Opening Day start, will get the ball on March 31 in Oakland. The 28-year-old is coming off a fine season in which he posted a 3.45 ERA with 195 strikeouts over 193 innings.

Justin Masterson shut out the D'Backs for four innings in Tuesday's start.

Masterson's Cactus League ERA remains at a nice 0.00 through eight innings. He didn't allow a hit to the Indians on Tuesday, though he did walk one. If his boosted strikeout rate from last season continues, he shouldn't have any trouble replicating his success.

Justin Masterson blanked the Cubs over three innings during his start on Thursday.

Masterson allowed three hits and a walk while fanning three. The right-hander took a big leap forward with his strikeout rate, jumping from 17 percent to 24 percent. He also led the league in ground ball rate at 58 percent. Rightly, the Indians are trying to sign him to a contract extension, but the two sides have yet to hash things out. Regardless, he'll take the hill on Opening Day for the Tribe.

Justin Masterson confirmed Wednesday that he wants to stay with the Indians and is willing to accept a shorter-term deal.

While there was some speculation that Masterson would command a deal similar to Homer Bailey's recent six-year, $105 million extension with the Reds, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Tuesday night that he has requested a three- or four-year contract from the Indians in the range of $40-60 million. His demands are pretty reasonable, so we're guessing something will get done.

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Justin Masterson and his agent, Randy Rowley, have made a three- to four-year proposal to the Indians believed to be in the $40-60 million range.

Hoynes says they're waiting to hear back from the Indians, but if the club is serious at all about keeping Masterson, it's hard to imagine them not jumping at that offer. Rowley told CBS Sports' Jon Heyman that the righty "is motivated to stay in Cleveland by his admiration for manager Terry Francona, his strong feelings about his teammates and family situation." Both sides have set an Opening Day deadline for extension talks.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that Justin Masterson could be willing to accept a deal as short as three years from the Indians.

Heyman says the Indians have let Masterson's agent, Randy Rowley, know that they "have no intention of paying anywhere in the ballpark" of Homer Bailey's six-year, $105 million extension. The good news is that it sounds like Masterson is willing to take a hometown discount, with Rowley telling Heyman that the righty "is motivated to stay in Cleveland by his admiration for manager Terry Francona, his strong feelings about his teammates and family situation." Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has reported that the Indians have discussed deals in the 3-4 year range with Rowley.

Justin Masterson struck out two in his only inning of work Thursday.

Masterson was in top form in his start against the Indians. He was in trouble after Billy Hamilton singled and advanced to third on shortstop Mike Aviles' throwing error, but used his ability to miss bats to get out of harm's way. On the heels of his great 2013, Masterson is trying to work on a contract extension with the Indians.

Justin Masterson said Thursday that he is still discussing a contract extension with the Indians.

Indians and RHP Justin Masterson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract.

No word yet on the terms involved. Masterson requested $11.8 million and was offered $8.05 million from the Indians when arbitration figures were exchanged last month. The 28-year-old was scheduled to head to Florida on Tuesday afternoon for a hearing, but the two sides were able to hammer out a last-minute agreement.

Justin Masterson said Tuesday that he is getting "closer" with the Indians to avoid arbitration on a contract for 2014.

Masterson is scheduled to take a flight Tuesday afternoon to be present for an arbitration hearing, but there's a chance that might not be necessary. The 28-year-old requested $11.8 million and was offered $8.05 million from the Indians when arbitration figures were exchanged last month.

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that extension talks between the Indians and Justin Masterson "have been shelved" while the sides work on a one-year deal.

Masterson's arbitration hearing is set for February 20, but the two sides are hoping to come to an agreement before then. However, it might be a tall task given that the $3.75 million gap between Masterson ($11.8 million) and the Indians ($8.05 million) is the largest of arbitration filings this winter. Both sides have said they're open to a long-term deal, but Hoynes writes that "it's believed those talks have gained little, if any, traction." They'll now focus on hammering out a one-year pact prior to February 20.

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com writes that the Indians and Justin Masterson might head to an arbitration hearing.

Masterson requested $11.8 million and was offered $8.05 million from the Indians when arbitration figures were exchanged on Friday and the gap might be too much to overcome. The Indians haven't gone to a hearing since 1991, but little progress has been made in talks.

Justin Masterson requested $11.8 million and was offered $8.05 million from the Indians when arbitration figures were exchanged on Friday.

The de-facto ace of the Tribe's staff earned $5.687 million in 2013 and will get a significant raise over that amount through the arbitration process. The two sides are believed to have mutual interest in a long-term contract extension, and it's still conceivable that a deal is struck before reaching an arbitrator.

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians and Justin Masterson will discuss a potential multi-year extension before exchanging arbitration figures.

The 28-year-old Indians' ace is expected to earn between $9 and $10 million this year through the arbitration process, and is believed to be seeking a long-term pact in the neighborhood of $75 million over five years. With Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir departing through free agency, Masterson takes on added importance as he's expected to lead the Tribe's young rotation.