Smoke signals

• Nick Swisher has served as a designated hitter in three of four games since returning from a three-game break due to a sore left shoulder. In Monday's contest, Swisher was at first base. Swisher has not played right field since April 27, when he manned the outfield for the sixth time in a 10-game span. For now, Indians manager Terry Francona is hesitant to put Swisher back in right field.

"A little bit," Francona said. "We gave him the time off to try to help that [shoulder issue]. To throw him right back out there, I don't know that, even though it would make our lineup at times better, I'm not sure if it's in his best interest. So we'll see how that goes."

• Indians center fielder Michael Bourn -- on the 15-day disabled list with a right index finger injury -- had his Minor League rehab game with Triple-A Columbus postponed due to rain on Monday. On Tuesday, Bourn was scheduled to play seven innings in center in Game 1 of a doubleheader. The plan called for him to sit out the second game and serve as the DH for Columbus on Wednesday. The Indians will re-evaluate Bourn at that point.

• Indians left fielder Michael Brantley was not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the A's. It marked Brantey's first game off since April 7, but Francona indicated that it was just a scheduled day off rest for Cleveland's left fielder. With Brantley on the bench, utility man Mike Aviles got the nod in left.

• Outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, who was designated for assignment on Sunday, cleared waivers on Tuesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Columbus. First baseman Mike McDade (designated for assignment on Thursday) was claimed off waivers by the White Sox.

• On Tuesday, the Indians named Class A (high) Carolina shortstop Francisco Lindor the organization's Minor League Player of the Week for the period of April 29-May 5. During that span, Lindor (the Tribe's top pick in the 2011 Draft) hit .500 (13-for-26) with a 1.321 OPS over seven games.