Who's on track? Who's the fifth? Third base

Michael Brantley is on the fast track, but he might be slowed for a few days.

(Chuck Crow/PD)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Michael Brantley might only appear in minor-league games for the duration of the Indians' stay in Arizona.

The Indians will have further conversations in the coming days to establish a plan for the left fielder, who is on the mend following November shoulder surgery.

"We've talked to Brantley about it," manager Terry Francona told reporters Thursday. "We'll keep that in consideration."

Friday marks the cutoff date for retroactive disabled list stints. If Brantley is to begin the year on the DL, the Indians can back up the start date if he stays away from the big league field. That would make him eligible to return toward the end of the first week of the regular season. If Brantley were to appear in a big-league spring training game after Friday -- and he will not be in Friday's lineup -- then that would push back his disabled list stint, should he need one.

Francona said "it's possible" that Brantley plays only in minor-league games from here on out. Either way, the manager said he is encouraged by Brantley's progress. The 28-year-old was initially expected to miss at least the first month of the regular season.

To this point, Brantley has appeared in two games with the Tribe and in one minor-league game. He has rested his shoulder since he played in Monday's contest.

"He wasn't bouncing back quite as well," Francona said. "I'm not really sure we expected him to be pushing it this much, this quick.

"He's so far ahead of schedule that it's kind of silly."

Testing, testing: Francona said Lonnie Chisenhall, who was dealing with forearm soreness, is "ready to go." Francona opted to start a largely right-handed lineup for Thursday's contest.

Turning heads: Francona was impressed by Tyler Naquin's power display on Wednesday. The center fielder belted a pair of home runs, albeit on a windy afternoon in the desert.

"I had never seen him take two swings like that," Francona said. "That was fun to watch. I know spring training isn't the regular season. I get all that. It's still nice to see a kid take a swing [like those]. It's nice to know [he] can do that. I think you're seeing a kid playing with confidence. It is different when the season starts, but you ask guys to put your best foot forward. I'm not sure what else he could do."

In an effort to seize an Opening Day roster spot, Naquin is batting .447 with a 1.342 OPS and eight extra-base hits in 38 at-bats this spring.

"When we sat him down in our one-on-ones," Francona said, "we said, 'Hey, you're at that point now. Go compete.' He has out-competed everybody."

On the docket: The Indians and Dodgers will square off at Goodyear Ballpark on Thursday evening. The game will air MLB Network. Trevor Bauer will start for the Tribe. Here is the Indians' lineup:

CF Rajai Davis

2B Jason Kipnis

SS Francisco Lindor

1B Mike Napoli

DH Marlon Byrd

3B Juan Uribe

LF Joey Butler

RF Collin Cowgill

C Roberto Perez