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Smoke signals

• Francona insists he isn't fretting too much over his lineup this early in Spring Training. As for the second spot of the order, Francona said on-base percentage will be important. Last year, Nick Swisher (62 starts), Jason Kipnis (49) and Asdrubal Cabrera (32) spent the most time in the second slot.

"It's hard to answer," Francona said. "Obviously, we care about on-base skills. There were times last year where I think I probably got a little over-protective of running our lefties up there in a row. We don't want to make it easy for the opposing manager. But on-base ability is important in that spot. It'll shake itself out as the spring goes."

• Indians infielder Jose Ramirez underwent surgery on his left thumb in December and is "a little behind" the rest of the position players, according to Francona. The manager estimated Ramirez would likely make his Cactus League game debut in the March 10-15 range.

• Veteran Jason Giambi and center fielder Michael Bourn were among the new faces on hand at Cleveland's complex Sunday, when position players went through physicals. All position players have reported for the Indians and the team will run through its first full-squad workout Monday.

• Indians Minor League reliever Bryan Price, who tweaked his right hamstring during drills earlier this week, was back on the field for Sunday's workout. The right-hander had a 2.04 ERA with 92 strikeouts and 16 walks in 75 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last season in Cleveland's system.

Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, and follow him on Twitter @MLBastian.
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