Smoke signals

• Indians closer Chris Perez and setup man Vinnie Pestano are scheduled to join Team USA on Sunday to begin training for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said he is confident that Team USA manager Joe Torre and Team USA pitching coach Greg Maddux will carefully monitor the relievers' workload.

"We're not concerned about them overusing our guys," Francona said. "They were very upfront about taking care of our guys."

• For their first appearances of the spring, starters Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez pitched back-to-back for the Indians in Monday's 14-10 win over the A's. Cleveland will stagger its outings from here on out. Masterson is scheduled to start for the Tribe against the White Sox on Friday, and Jimenez will likely get the nod against the Padres on Saturday.

• Reliever Joe Smith, who has been working his way back from a mild left abdominal strain this spring, is scheduled to throw his first live batting practice during Thursday's workout. Barring any setbacks, Smith will likely make his Cactus League debut next week.

• With a surplus of starting pitchers in camp with Cleveland this spring, the Indians are doing their best to divvy up the innings. On Thursday, starters Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and T.J. House are slated to throw simulated games rather than work in the Tribe's Cactus League contest.