Smoke signals

• Indians manager Terry Francona noted Tuesday that closer Chris Perez and setup man Vinnie Pestano will not need to rejoin Cleveland to pitch in a game during their first week of workouts with Team USA. Francona said Team USA has two exhibition games scheduled and the pitchers will be able to stay on their respective programs.

"They're playing two games, so there's no need for them to come back," Francona said. "It falls right when they would be pitching anyway. If we're playing a game the same day they are, I want them to enjoy the whole experience with the USA team."

Francona noted that catcher Yan Gomes is planning on skipping the World Baseball Classic. Gomes, who played for Brazil in the qualifying round of the tournament, wants to focus on competing for a job with Cleveland.

• Indians reliever Joe Smith (left oblique) played catch up to a distance of 120 feet during Tuesday's workout. The sidearm-throwing right-hander is scheduled for a mound session on Wednesday.

• Francona said on Tuesday that he is in no rush to name an Opening Day starter for the team's April 2 tilt at Toronto because too much can change before the onset of the regular season. Sinkerballer Justin Masterson pitched on Opening Day for Cleveland last season.