Smoke signals

• Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis has already turned in an historic month, and the Tribe still had six games to play in June entering Wednesday. Kipnis is only the eighth Cleveland player since 1916 to have at least seven stolen bases, 12 extra-base hits, 17 RBIs and 30 hits in a single month.

The others include Shin-Soo Choo (2010), Grady Sizemore ('08, '05), Milton Bradley ('03), Roberto Alomar ('01, '00, 1999), Kenny Lofton (twice in '95), Joe Carter (twice in '86 and once in '85) and Braggo Roth (1917).

• Catcher Carlos Santana was out of the starting lineup on Wednesday for the first time since May 9. Francona noted that Santana was still sore from the foul ball he took off his left knee in Tuesday's game, but that was not why the catcher was not playing. With four games in three days in Chicago this weekend, Francona simply wanted to give Santana a full day off.

• Francona noted on Wednesday that the current rehab plan for right-hander Brett Myers (on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow injury) is to have the pitcher log at least five Minor League outings before being activated as a reliever. Francona added that Myers' schedule is not set in stone.

• On Wednesday, the Eastern League revealed its All-Star roster for the first half. Representing the Double-A Akron Aeros in the All-Star Game on July 10 will be first baseman and No. 12 prospect Jesus Aguilar, outfielder Carlos Moncrief, and pitchers Jose Flores and Matt Packer.