Smoke signals

• With Daisuke Matsuzaka no longer in the running for the fifth starter spot, the competition has been whittled down to Scott Kazmir, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber. Antonetti is not ready to tip his hand as to who is currently the favorite to land the lone vacancy in the rotation.

"We're closer," Antonetti said with a grin. "We only have two weeks left. When exactly we'll make that decision, we don't know yet. We haven't set an exact date for making that decision."

• Both Francona and Antonetti have been impressed by what they've seen this spring from infielder Cord Phelps, who entered Monday hitting .306 with two homers and four RBIs in 17 Cactus League games this spring. Phelps can play multiple infield spots, and Cleveland plans on getting him some work at first base as well.

"Cord's had a great camp," Antonetti said. "Offensively, he's swung the bat as well as probably anybody in camp. And I think he's a little bit more relaxed. I don't want to speak for Cord, but he's got a great energy about him. He's tried to work all over the diamond and really embrace that opportunity."

• On Monday, the Indians optioned shortstop Juan Diaz to Triple-A Columbus and re-assigned outfielder Cedric Hunter, along with pitchers Matt Langwell, Preston Guilmet and Joe Martinez, to Minor League camp. Catchers Brian Jeroloman and Omir Santos, outfielder Matt Carson and infielder Luis Hernandez were informed they will be sent to the Minors, but they will remain in big league camp for the time being.

• Indians catcher Yan Gomes, who tweaked his right hamstring on Friday, was doing much better on Monday, according to Francona. Cleveland's skipper noted that Gomes will likely be able to return to games before the end of this week.