Smoke signals

• Francona indicated on Tuesday that designated hitter/pinch-hitter Jason Giambi is scheduled to play another Minor League rehab game with Double-A Akron on Wednesday. The 43-year-old Giambi (on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured rib in his right side) could be activated for Cleveland's upcoming homestand, which begins on Friday.

"I think that's realistic," Francona said. "I think he's actually pretty good about being honest. When he comes back, he wants to be able to help us, and be healthy enough to get his swings and have enough timing to do some damage."

• New Tribe closer John Axford has issued six walks through 5 2/3 innings this season. Axford has averaged four walks per nine innings over the course of his career and walked 26 in 65 innings between stints with the Brewers and Cardinals last year. Francona said it's too early to be overly concerned with the closer's current walk rate.

"We're pretty early," Francona said. "It's not like he's going out there trying to walk people. I do think that as you settle into the season and the sample size gets bigger, then you can kind of look at stuff like that."

• On Tuesday, the Indians named Triple-A Columbus first baseman Jesus Aguilar the organization's Minor League Player of the Week for April 4-13. During that time period, Aguilar hit .417 (15-for-36) with three homers, four doubles, eight runs, eight RBIs and a 1.266 OPS in 10 games. Aguilar is ranked as the Tribe's No. 19 prospect, according to MLB.com.