Smoke signals

• Catcher Carlos Santana returned to the lineup Tuesday, starting behind the plate and hitting in the third spot, after being out of the starting lineup for the past four games. Santana had been recovering from a bruised left thumb, which was suffered when he got crossed up on a pitch from closer Chris Perez in the ninth inning against the Yankees on April 8.

• Indians catcher Lou Marson, who is on the 15-day disabled list while recovering from a neck strain, was scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday. Marson injured his neck in a collision at home plate with Tampa Bay's Desmond Jennings during the third inning of Cleveland's 6-0 loss on April 6.

• On Tuesday, the Indians named Class A Carolina infielder Jerrud Sabourin the organization's Minor League Player of the Week for April 4-14. During that period, Sabourin hit .438 (14-for-32) with three doubles and three RBIs for the Mudcats. Sabourin entered Tuesday leading the Carolina League in batting average.

• The Indians' starting rotation combined for a 1.27 ERA (three earned runs in 21 1/3 innings) during the team's recent three-game series with the White Sox. In the Tribe's five wins, the rotation has turned in a 0.79 ERA. In Cleveland's six losses, the starters have combined for an 8.40 ERA.