Smoke signals

• Zach Walters (acquired from the Nationals in the July 31 trade that sent shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to Washington) played left field in his Indians debut on Sunday and was slotted into the lineup as the designated hitter on Tueday. Francona said the team wants to test the 24-year-old Walters' versatility over the next several weeks.

"We need to find out just how versatile he can be," Francona said. "With his power and his ability to switch-hit, if he can play short, that's always kind of the key. ... A guy that can play short and the outfield, that kind of lengthens out your roster."

• Veteran Jason Giambi will wear No. 72 when he comes off the disabled list for the Indians. The 43-year-old designated hitter is giving up No. 25 in honor of Indians great Jim Thome. Giambi chose the new jersey number because it was the number he wore at his first Major League Spring Training with the A's in 1993.

• On Tuesday, the Indians announced that low Class A Lake County right-hander Mitch Brown was named the organization's Minor League player of the week for the period of Aug. 4-11. Brown, 20, turned in seven shutout innings on Wednesday, extending his scoreless streak to 17 innings dating back to July 25.