LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Manager Terry Francona said Michael Brantley is still an outfielder and Jason Kipnis still doesn't have a position. No big shock there, but there has been speculation that Brantley could move to first base depending on how he responds to the right ankle surgery that he underwent at the end of October.

"James Quinlan (head athletic trainer) visited with Michael a couple of weeks ago and he's doing well," said Chris Antonetti, Indians president of baseball operations.

Said Francona, "Michael is itching to go right now."

But will he stay in left field or move to first? Brantley hasn't played first since he was in the minors with Milwaukee.

"Brantley is open to whatever we would like him to do," said Francona. "He just wants to know ahead of time so he can prepare. Again, we have to wait to see where we are as a team. It's nice to know guys are willing. But I think right now, he's an outfielder."

Regarding the displaced Kipnis, Francona said, "I don't know if I have a good answer for that right now. We all know Kip is a really good player, which is fortunate for us. Some of it may come down to what is best for our team. When we know, we'll certainly communicate to our guys.

"I just don't know that you can tell somebody something before you know."

It's possible the Indians could trade Kipnis. Teams such as the Angels and Toronto are looking for a second baseman and the Indians have been listening to offers. The Blue Jays, however, recently acquired shortstop Aledmys Diaz from St. Louis. They'd still like to add more help in the middle infield, but preferably someone who can play second and short. Kipnis has played second almost his entire career.

When asked if Kipnis could play first, Francona said he probably could, but didn't appear to be overly enthusiastic about the idea.

What about Frazier? For those asking, it does not appear the Indians will try to reacquire outfielder Clint Frazier now that Giancarlo Stanton is a Yankee. The Indians traded Frazier and three others to the Yankees for Andrew Miller in 2016. Frazier was the Tribe's No.1 pick in 2013.

If the Indians are going to deal from a position of strength, in other words move a starter such as Danny Salazar or Mike Clevinger, they have to get an established right-handed hitter.

Numbers game: Francona has surrendered his No. 17 to catcher Francisco Mejia. Francona will switch to No.77. It's the second time Francona has given his number to a player since becoming manager of the Indians after the 2012 season.

When the Indians acquired Nick Swisher in 2013, he gave him No. 33.

Francona said that he'd heard Mejia wanted No. 17 and he had no problem giving it up. He rarely wears a jersey during games anyway.

For those looking for hidden meaning - such as if the manager is giving Mejia his number it must mean the Indians are getting ready to trade Roberto Perez or Yan Gomes -- Mejia will only wear No.17 in spring training and in the big leagues.

It's official: The Indians announced that they've signed utility man Michael Martinez to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Faces in the crowd: Former Indians Lary Sorensen, Dennis Cook, Jamie Carroll and Reggie Jefferson are attending the meetings. Sorensen is announcing baseball and football games at Wake Forrest. Cook is working with the Italian National baseball team. He'll also be a pitching coach in the Cape Cod League this summer.