Goodyear, Ariz. -- This is a daily briefing on the Cleveland Indians in spring training as they prepare for the 2011 season.

March 18, Day 32 -- The Indians know four of the five starters who will open the regular season. So do you, if you've been paying attention.

Fausto Carmona will pitch the season opener on April 1, but how manager Manny Acta and pitching coach Tim Belcher arrange Justin Masterson, Mitch Talbot and Carlos Carrasco has not been decided. The winner of the fifth spot has yet to be named among Josh Tomlin, Jeanmar Gomez and David Huff.

Whoever wins the fifth spot, could end up pitching in the second, third or fourth spot in the rotation.

"We'll line up our rotation accordingly with about 10 days to go in spring training," said Acta.

The Indians should start getting their starters in a row come Monday.

Last season the Indians broke camp with Jake Westbrook, Carmona, Masterson, Huff and Talbot as the starting five. Huff was the last starter to make the rotation, beating out Carrasco, but he pitched fourth in the rotation. That was mainly because Huff is a left-hander.

This season the Indians could have a rotation of five right-handers. Tomlin appears to be the favorite to win the fifth spot. He pitched five innings, allowing two unearned runs, in a minor league game Wednesday. In three Cactus League games, including two starts, he's allowed one run in eight innings.

The Indians open the season with games against Chicago on April 1, 2 and 3 at Progressive Field. They have an off day on April 4 before Boston comes to town for a three-game series. The Indians could skip the fifth starter because of the off day, but Acta said he wouldn't do that.

Double duty: The Indians have split squad games today against Kansas City and Texas. Acta will attend both games.

"Hey, I'm getting paid for the full day," said Acta.

The Indians play Kansas City in Surprise, Ariz. at 4:05 p.m. ET. Then they'll play Texas at Goodyear Ballpark at 10:05 p.m. ET.



Play ball: The Indians minor leaguers start playing games today.

Class AAA Columbus and Class AA Akron played their counterparts (Class AAA Charlotte and Class AA Birmingham) with the White Sox in Glendale, Ariz. Class A Kinston and Class A Lake County play White Sox farm teams Winston Salem and Kannapolis at the player development complex in Goodyear.

Hot stuff: Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman threw hard against the Indians in the ninth inning Thursday. The Tribe, however, did manage to score a run off him. It was their only run in a 5-1 loss.

Acta said overwhelming velocity doesn't mean a pitcher can't be hit.

"Rico Carty used to say if a catcher can catch it, anybody can hit it," said Acta. "But if he can command his fastball, with the breaking ball he has, nobody is going to hit it."

Shelley Duncan and Lou Marson singled off Chapman, Marson driving in the run.

Santana at first: Acta has watched Carlos Santana play two games at first base

this spring and has no worries about his starting catcher playing there during the regular season when his legs need a break.

"It will be the little things that he has to learn," said Acta. "Where to be on cutoffs, when to trail the runner when not to. But I'm not anticipating him struggling handling ground balls and stuff like that."

Talking baseball and scrambled eggs: The annual Talkin' Tribe Opening Day Breakfast is back. Terry Pluto, Dennis Manaloff and and Paul Hoynes will answer questions about the Tribe on April 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at The Plain Dealer.

Mike McIntyre will be the moderator.

A breafast buffet will be served and there will be door prizes. Admission is $25 per person. To reserve a seat go to www.plaindealer.com/homeopener.

For more information call 216-999-4028.

Today's lineups:

Indians: CF Ezequiel Carrera, 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, DH Carlos Santana, RF Travis Buck, LF Shelley Duncan, 2B Jayson Nix, 1B Jordan Brown, C Luke Carlin, SS Adam Everett, P Jeanmar Gomez.

In the pen: David Huff, Jensen Lewis, Doug Mathis, Vinnie Pestano, Yohan Pino and Jess Todd are also scheduled to pitch for the Tribe.

Royals: 3B Mike Aviles, RF Lorenzo Cain, 1B Billy Butler, CF Melky Cabrera, LF Alex Gordon, DH Jeff Francoeur, C Manny Pina, 2B Chris Getz, SS Alcides Escobar, P Kyle Davies.

Rangers: CF Julio Borbon, SS Elvis Andrus, LF David Murphy, RF Nelson Cruz, 1B Mitch Moreland, C Yorvit Torrealba, 3B Chris Davis, DH Chad Tracy, 2B Andres Blanco, P Matt Harrison.

Indians: CF Michael Brantley, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RF Shin-Soo Choo, LF Austin Kearns, DH Travis Hafner, 2B Orlando Cabrera, 1B Matt LaPorta, 3B Jack Hannahan, C Lou Marson, P Carlos Carrasco.

In the pen: Chad Durbin, Jujstin Germano, Josh Judy, Rafael Perez and Tony Sipp are also scheduled to pitch.

What's ahead: The Indians will play the Angels on Saturday in Tempe, Ariz. at 4:05 p.m. ET. Justin Masterson will face Scott Kazmir. WMMS-100.7 FM will carry the game.

