Smoke signals

• Marcum, who underwent surgery in July to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome, is "slightly" behind Cleveland's other starters, according to Francona. Depending on how Marcum throws and feels, he could be seven to 10 days behind other rotation candidates in terms of making his Cactus League debut.

"We kind of tried to drive home the fact that, as hard as it is, April 1 isn't the finishing line," Francona said. "It happens with so many guys. ... You've got to look at the big picture."

• Veteran right-hander Matt Capps, who has 138 career saves in parts of eight seasons in the Majors, is in camp with the Indians for the second year in a row as a non-roster invitee. Last season, the 30-year-old Capps was dealing with a torn tendon in his right shoulder that led to surgery in June.

"It was hard for them to diagnose exactly what was going on," Francona said. "He got it fixed, and everybody liked him so much and respected him so much, and I think he wanted to come back to give it another shot. He's been so diligent in what he's done that it's hard not to pull for him."

• Indians Minor League catcher Roberto Perez, who is a non-roster invitee this spring, is scheduled to arrive to camp on Thursday. Francona said the team gave Perez one extra day, because he only recently wrapped up playing winter ball.