Smoke signals

• Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was suspended for the remainder of the season on Monday for violations of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. A handful of Indians players declined comment, but Francona addressed the subject prior to Monday's game in Seattle.

"I'm not very well informed, so I'd hate to make too much of a comment," Francona said. "That's not normally a very smart thing to do. I do know that I really care about our game, so I hope that at some point we're able as a game to get past this, where we're just talking about baseball. I know there's a lot of people smarter than me that are trying to figure out how to do that."

• Indians left-hander Scott Kazmir, who logged just 64 innings last season with the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Independent League, has logged 92 innings through 17 starts this year. At his current pace, Kazmir projects to finish the regular season with between 170-180 innings. Francona said the lefty does not have an innings cap.

"No," Francona said. "Kaz has held his stuff pretty well. I think [pitching a full season] would be a testament to his work ethic, if he continues and he holds up like that. I think that I'd be really proud of him. I already am, but that would show how hard he's worked."

• Indians right-hander Corey Kluber exited his start on Saturday after five innings due to tightness in his left hip and upper left hamstring. Kluber continues to progress well and is on target to make his next scheduled start as planned on Friday, according to Francona.

"He's doing fine. I think he's doing OK," Francona said on Monday. "I talked to [head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff] earlier today and I don't think there's any issues there."

• Highly touted shortstop prospect Fransicso Lindor has hit .400 (8-for-20) with a 1.056 OPS through six games since being promoted to Double-A Akron. On the season, Lindor has hit .311 with an .801 OPS, piling up 25 stolen bases, 27 extra-base hits, 29 RBIs, 42 walks and 55 runs through 89 games between stints with Class A (high) Carolina and Akron.