Smoke signals

• Francona believes there has been a lot of gray area this season when it comes to enforcing Major League Baseball's new guidelines for home-plate collisions. Francona believes it is good that MLB is looking to better define the rules involving the positioning of catchers and baserunners on plays at the plate.

"They're trying, I know. I don't think it's easy," Francona said. "I don't think it's been enforced to everybody's satisfaction. The reasoning behind it is good. You don't want to see catchers get concussions or get hit -- I understand that. But, when you put a rule into effect, you've got to enforce it. I don't think it has been."

• Entering this three-game series, the Indians were tied with the Braves and Tigers for the fewest home runs (24) allowed as a pitching staff. Cleveland might be tested by the Blue Jays' offense, which headed into Tuesday's game ranked first in the American League and second in the Majors with 52 home runs.

• On Tuesday, the Indians named low Class A Lake County right-hander Adam Plutko the organization's Minor League player of the week for May 5-11. On May 6, the 22-year-old Plutko (selected in the 11th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft) struck out 13 and yielded only three hits in eight shutout innings against Bowling Green.

• Catcher George Kottaras, who was designated for assignment by the Indians on Wednesday, cleared waivers and has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus. On May 4, Kottaras became the first player in Indians history to hit a home run in his first two career plate appearances with the ballclub.