Smoke signals

• Catcher Yan Gomes enters camp as Cleveland's No. 1 option in the plate, but Francona is not mapping out how many games he might catch this season. Francona said the only thing Gomes needs to worry about is getting ready for the increased responsibility.

"We told him to come to camp prepared to be the main catcher," Francona said. "He's never done that before, so we'll try to use some common sense and certainly keep an eye on what's going on with him. The more he stays strong, I think he has a better chance of being productive. Saying that, that's not the main thing. Catching is the main thing."

• Right-hander Danny Salazar is a virtual lock for a spot in the Tribe's rotation, but the team is taking things slow with the young pitcher out of the gates this spring. Salazar currently has two days between mound sessions (most players have only one) and the Indians might work in extra days off early in the season.

"We just have him probably on a little slower schedule than some other guys," Francona said of Salazar, who underwent right elbow surgery four years ago. "We just walked it through all winter and this spring and it seems to make sense. We want him to throw a few more bullpens, just because of everything he's been through."

• To this point in camp, the majority of Cleveland's pitchers have been working off the mound in bullpen sessions every other day. Francona indicated that live batting-practice sessions, during which hitters stand in against pitchers for the first time, will likely begin on Friday.