CLEVELAND -- The players at the Indians’ alternate training site are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

After spending the entire 2020 season playing intrasquad games, the group at the alternate training site has been able to get some exhibition games under its belt before the Triple-A season gets underway on May 4.

How have things been going at the alternate training site? Clippers manager Andy Tracy addressed a plethora of topics on Sunday morning:

Oscar Mercado
The skinny: Entering Spring Training, the center-field job was Mercado’s to lose. He had a rocky 2020 season but was confident those struggles were behind him. But when the offensive production still wasn’t there throughout Spring Training, the Indians decided to option Mercado to the alternate training site, where he’d be able to begin a hitting program to hopefully get him back to his '19 ways.

Tracy: “He’s been good. Him and [Jason] Esposito, our hitting coach down here, Espo’s been in conversations with [Indians hitting coaches], continuing to work on Oscar’s swing and his preparation and approach at the plate. So, it’s a holistic approach right now, and I think Oscar is in a really good place mentally and physically it’s coming along. So, I’m really excited for where Oscar is at currently, and I think he’s going to be in a good place going forward.”

Bradley Zimmer
The skinny: When Mercado didn’t get the starting job in center, all eyes turned to Zimmer, who would’ve been next in line. He missed most of 2018 and ’19 due to injuries and saw limited playing time last season. Throughout Spring Training, the Indians said Zimmer wasn’t showing the consistency at the plate they were hoping for to add him to the big league roster, so he also began the year at the alternate training site.

Tracy: “He's been good. Getting his at-bats. Lot of playing time. He's been healthy. He's continuing to work on everything he needs to do to get back to the big leagues. So he's in a good spot mentally and physically.”

Bobby Bradley
The skinny: First base came down to either Jake Bauers or Bradley this spring, and the Indians decided to give Bauers the first shot at becoming the everyday guy. But through 15 games, Bauers has hit .121 with a .323 OPS, which leaves many fans wondering how Bradley is doing at the alternate training site and if he’d be ready for his call to the big leagues.

Tracy: “He’ll be ready whenever they call ... if they need him. He’s doing really good defensively. We’re getting our work in on the dirt and in the cages, and they’re having really good at-bats in the game. I’m excited for Bobby. Hopefully, things turn out for him, but he’s in a good spot.”

Outfielders
The skinny: After Cleveland optioned Ben Gamel on April 17, the alternate training site became even more flooded with outfielders. Tracy has five regular outfielders – Daniel Johnson, Zimmer, Mercado, Gamel and Harold Ramirez -- to rotate through on a daily basis, along with Nolan Jones, who’s expected to get some time in the grass, as well.

Tracy: “Honestly we run four guys out there, one guy has a day off and we just rotate like that, and I'm completely transparent with those guys. ... Right now it's challenging to get Nolan in the outfield. With five outfielders, he would be the sixth. But we'll split a game up sometimes where I can push him out there for a couple innings.”

Topic: Nolan Jones
The skinny: The Indians talked to Jones about the possibility of getting him some reps in the outfield at the end of last season. He was excited about the opportunity and started practicing there during the fall league. And now, he’s been rotating from third base to first base to the corner spots of the outfield.

Tracy: “I think he loves it. It keeps him engaged. … It just keeps him active and engaged in the process of everything. He's really excited about the possibility of playing all over the field and preparing for whatever role that Cleveland sees him in the future.”

Topic: Daniel Johnson
The skinny: Johnson was never thrown into the center-field mix during Spring Training, but he’s been getting time there at the alternate training site. And as the club’s outfield struggles continue, fans have started wondering if Johnson’s time in the Majors will be soon.

Tracy: “We're moving him around. Center field, right field. I'm actually moving him around the lineup a little bit so everybody can get an opportunity to hit leadoff, three-hole so we can prepare them for whatever role that they have if they go to the big leagues and make him be comfortable in each role. DJ's been great, he can hit. We all know that. Really good ballplayer.”