Smoke signals

• Prior to Monday's home opener, Swisher presented a check for $75,000 on behalf of his foundation, Swish's Wishes, to the Providence House, a local crisis nursery that protects children from abuse and neglect.

"Providence House is thrilled to receive this incredibly generous gift from Nick and his foundation," Natalie Leek-Nelson, president and CEO of Providence House, said in a statement. "Nick is both an amazing player and person who shares our passion for helping children in crisis."

• Indians sinkerballer Justin Masterson defeated Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (last year's National League Cy Young Award winner as a member of the Mets) on Tuesday, and Rays lefty David Price (last year's American League Cy Young Award winner) on Sunday. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Masterson joined Bruce Hurst (1989) and Shane Reynolds (2003) as the only pitchers to defeat both reigning Cy Young winners in the same season. Masterson is the first to do so in consecutive starts.

• Indians veteran Jason Giambi, who began the season on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back injury, is scheduled to be activated prior to Tuesday's game against the Yankees. Giambi, a part-time designated hitter and pinch-hitter, will not be in the starting lineup against New York lefty Andy Pettitte, but he will be available off the bench.

• Francona noted that left-hander Scott Kazmir (on the 15-day DL with a right rib-cage strain) played catch up to a distance of 75 feet on Monday. Kazmir, who won the fifth starter role this spring, will be eligible to be activated on April 17.