Smoke signals

• Indians catcher Yan Gomes, who has been sidelined with a right hamstring injury since March 15, ran the bases during Friday's workout. Francona said Gomes might be cleared to play in a game by Saturday, but noted that Sunday might be more likely.

• Indians non-roster invitee Matt Capps -- informed earlier this week that he will not be on the Opening Day roster -- is continuing his search for another big league opportunity. Cleveland has expressed an interest to keep Capps in the Minor League system.

• Indians pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has agreed to begin the season in Triple-A, logged four innings in a Double-A game on Thursday. The right-hander allowed one run on two hits with three walks and no strikeouts in a 62-pitch effort.

• Cleveland right-hander Zach McAllister, the team's fourth starter, pitched in a Triple-A game on Thursday. Over six innings of work, McAllister surrendered six runs on six hits, finishing with three walks and two strikeouts in a 79-pitch outing.

• Saturday's 4:10 p.m. ET Cactus League game between the Indians and Mariners in Peoria, Ariz., will be aired live on MLB Network in the Cleveland television market. Lefty Scott Kazmir, a finalist for the fifth rotation spot, is scheduled to pitch for the Tribe.

Quote to note
"We hear there's a buizz going around the city, that the fans are just as excited as we are to get this season going, and that's great. That's exactly the chemistry you want between the organization and the fans in the city. I think you want both of them excited going into the season."
--Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis