Smoke signals

• On Tuesday, Triple-A Columbus right-hander Josh Tomlin made his first start since being activated from the 60-day disabled list, turning in five shutout innings against Louisville. In his comeback from Tommy John surgery, the former Indians starter has posted a 1.61 ERA with 16 strikeouts, 13 hits and no walks in 22 1/3 innings.

"He's such a favorite here," Francona said. "Every time he's around, you can tell he's such a good teammate, and a guy everybody is pulling for. He's doing well. He's got a little ways to go. That's part of the deal. You don't just grab a ball and all of a sudden you get everybody out, but he's doing a really good job."

• In the second inning of Tuesday's 2-0 loss to the Braves, rookie pitcher Danny Salazar shook off catcher Carlos Santana in a 2-2 count to Elliot Johnson. Santana wanted an offspeed pitch, but Salazar chose to throw a sixth consecutive fastball, which Johnson clubbed to right-center field for a two-run triple.

"If he gets him out, we're like, 'Boy, Danny showed some instincts there. He threw the pitch he wanted,'" Francona said. "We always tell the pitchers that the catcher is leading them, but they have the final say. So, if you're not going to throw a pitch with conviction, [shake the catcher off]. But in that situation, I think it was a learning experience."

• Indians right fielder Drew Stubbs crashed into the wall at Turner Field in the second inning on Tuesday, attempting to catch Johnson's triple. On Wednesday, Stubbs was sporting a large ice pack on his right shoulder, but remained in the lineup for the Tribe. Both Stubbs and Francona said the discomfort was not serious.

• Entering Wednesday's Interleague tilt with the Braves, the Indians had a 9-6 record (3-5 on the road) against National League opponents this season. Cleveland had outscored its Interleague foes, 64-50, averaging 4.3 runs per game on offense and posting a 3.18 ERA as a pitching staff. The Tribe was 146-152 all-time in Interleague Play.