Smoke signals
"It'll be interesting," Francona said on Thursday. "When we get to Toronto [for the opening series], we'll talk to the guys about being patient, because when the phone rings, you don't want guys like, 'Who's pitching?' But it takes a couple weeks for things to settle in."
• Francona said that catcher Carlos Santana's transition back to Tribe camp since playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic has been smooth. The only thing left for the catcher to accomplish is to continue to learn the club's various signs and catch a couple of relievers he has not worked with yet.
"He was ahead of the game behind the plate because he caught so much," Francona said of Santana's stint with the Dominican Republic. "He caught more there than he would've with us. There's only two relievers he hasn't caught, and we'll make sure he catches them in the next couple of days."
• Designated hitter Mark Reynolds, who is also Cleveland's backup first baseman, was in the lineup Thursday as the team's third baseman. Reynolds (a third baseman earlier in his career) requested a game at his former position. Utility man Mike Aviles is the Tribe's primary backup at third, but Reynolds could play there in a pinch.
"He wanted to play one game just in case something ever happened," Francona explained. "I thought today was a good enough day. We'll let Lonnie [Chisenhall] get his at-bats at DH. It's just to kind of cover everything before we leave here."
• Left-hander David Huff, who is out of Minor League options and will not be on the Opening Day roster, remains in camp with Cleveland. The Indians are currently looking into trading Huff, as well as outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, who was designated for assignment on Monday.