GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians’ Spring Training roster was trimmed from 65 to 58 on Friday afternoon after the Tribe made its first round of cuts, which included first baseman Bobby Bradley.

Cleveland optioned Bradley to Triple-A Columbus, while left-hander Sam Hentges and right-hander Jean Carlos Mejia were optioned to Double-A Akron. Non-roster invitees righty Shao-Ching Chiang, catcher Li-Jen Chu and lefties Rob Kaminsky and R.C. Orlan were reassigned to Minor League camp.

Bradley had a tough spring after landing awkwardly on his right shoulder in the Indians’ Cactus League opener against the Reds on Feb. 23, limiting him to six at-bats. He was hitless with two RBIs and two strikeouts.

When Bradley showed up to camp last year, he had dropped down to about 225 pounds, which Indians manager Terry Francona said the first baseman thought was a little too lean. This season, the 22-year-old showed up a little heavier, and although Francona said Bradley felt stronger at the plate at the start of camp, the coaching staff talked to him about taking care of his body.

“I think he feels like he maybe got a little too lean last year. This year, maybe it went the other way a little bit,” Francona said. “I think there’s a happy medium. And he understands that. We had a pretty honest conversation with him about it. We tried to explain to him that we’re not trying to beat him over the head. We care and we want him to have the best chance to succeed.”

Bradley, the Indians’ No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, hit a combined .224 with 27 homers, 83 RBIs and 148 strikeouts between Double-A and Triple-A last season.

“He understands what’s in front of him,” Francona said.

Hentges worked three scoreless innings over his two spring starts, while Mejia and Chiang each allowed two runs in two innings apiece. Kaminsky and Orlan each allowed three runs over three appearances.

Mathias OK after HBP

In the ninth inning of Friday's 2-0 loss to the Giants at Goodyear Ballpark, infielder Mark Mathias was hit by a pitch in the helmet and immediately removed from the game. After a quick evaluation by the training staff in the dugout, Francona said Mathias checked out OK.

“Obviously we told him tonight if he feels anything to call one of the trainers, but he’s had a concussion before,” Francona said. “His eyes were real clear. We’ll keep an eye on him, but I think he’s OK.”

Allen’s impressive grab

Just one inning after a ball fell in between left fielder Mike Papi, center fielder Greg Allen and shortstop Tyler Freeman, Allen made sure another one didn't drop in. With two outs in the eighth, Allen robbed Giants outfielder Henry Ramos of a hit when he made an impressive grab while slamming into the wall.

“That was a very good catch,” Francona said. “[Bench coach Brad Mlils] had just talked to him the inning before when he thought Freeman had called it. Freeman was trying to tell those guys he didn’t have it. Millsy was trying to tell him, ‘Hey, you've got to keep coming.’ He kept coming. He almost went through that wall. That was a heck of a play.”

Starting rotation

Carlos Carrasco and Corey Kluber are slated to make their first starts of the spring on Sunday and Monday, respectively. Once both pitchers work some innings, Francona will evaluate the best option to start Opening Day.

“We’ve talked to Kluber about it,” Francona said. “I think he’d like to be ready for Opening Day, and if he is, for all he’s done, he’s very worthy of pitching Opening Day. Now, for the way Trevor [Bauer] pitched last year, he certainly [could]. So I think we’re pretty fortunate. And Carrasco, I mean we’re pretty fortunate in that we got pitchers that if something happened, we could throw any of them out there and we feel like we’ve got a good chance to win.”

Up next

The Indians will host a Rockies split squad at 3:05 p.m. ET on Saturday at Goodyear Ballpark. Cleveland right-hander Shane Bieber will start against Colorado righty German Marquez.