Smoke signals

• The Indians' offense has hogged the spotlight over the past week, but the rotation has more than done its part as well. Over the past seven games entering Monday, Cleveland's starters were a combined 5-1, with a 2.48 ERA.

"They've given us a chance to win every game," manager Terry Francona said. "There's some nights when you're hitting the ball around the ballpark and you spread it about a little bit. There's other nights when it takes a while for your offense to kick in. But if your pitching is giving you a chance, you're not fighting uphill."

• Starter Brett Myers (on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow) is progressing "very well" in his rehab, according to Francona. Myers is scheduled to return to a mound for bullpen sessions while the Indians are in Detroit (Friday to Sunday). He will then join the Indians in Philadelphia (April 14-15) for a second mound session, after which he will be re-evaluated.

• On Monday, high Class A Advanced Carolina shortstop Francisco Lindor was named the Carolina League's Hitter of the Week for the period of April 29 to May 5. Lindor, Cleveland's top pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, hit .500 with one homer, two doubles, one triple, four RBIs and six runs in seven games in that span. Double-A Akron righty Danny Salazar (12 strikeouts in six shutout innings on Thursday) was named the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week.