GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Nick Swisher and Brandon Moss will not run with the rest of the Indians position players Tuesday morning when they conduct a series of sprints to officially welcome them to spring training.

The pitchers did it Friday with Nick Hagadone emerging as the last-man-sprinting after outlasting Zach McAllister.

Swisher and Moss have an excuse for their absence.

In August, Swisher had surgery on both knees. In October, Moss had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. The Indians said last week that both players could be playing in games by mid-March.

The Cactus League season starts March 3 with the Indians breaking camp April 4.

"We talked to Brandon and Swish in the one-on-one meetings," said manager Terry Francona. "We want them to get healthy and not push it for an artificial deadline.

"We're going to go off of them so when they do come back they have a chance to stay out there and be productive instead of limping around.''

The Indians medical staff meets with GM Chris Antonetti and Francona every morning to update them on the injured players in camp.

"They tell us what they can do that day in terms of volume and intensity," said Francona.

Swisher has been cleared to hit and throw. He's on a structured running and agility program.

Moss has been hitting off a tee and intensifying his running. He could be hitting on the field by the end of February or early March.

Ouch: Francona served as a baserunner during bunt drills Sunday morning. When he met with reporters later in the day, he was sore.

"I stood out there (at second base) for an hour and I'm hurting," said Francona, who lost 20 pounds over the winter. "Isn't that a shame?"

Francona, with two artificial knees, has had surgery of his knees at least 19 times.

"I came up with the bunt plays and I wanted to make sure we ran through them like I wanted," said Francona. "But I think I'll let somebody else be the runner from now on."

On schedule: The Indians are going to let Gavin Floyd, recovering from right elbow surgery, work into spring training at his own pace. Right now that pace is the same as every other healthy pitcher in camp.

"He's in really good shape," said Francona. "He's on the same scheduled right now as everyone else. He's throwing his bullpens at the same time as everyone else.

"Whether a guy throws the first exhibition game rather than the 10th, we're trying to look at the big picture. If you lose sight of the big picture, you have a chance of making some mistakes."

The Indians signed Floyd to a one-year $4 million deal on Dec. 16. He can make another $6 million in incentives."

Floyd, 32, made nine starts with Atlanta last year before fracturing his right elbow on June 19 against Washington.

What's the cure? Carlos Santana had the worst start in his career last season, but ended the season with 27 home runs, 85 RBI and a MLB-high 113 walks.

When asked what he could do to avoid hitting .151 in April and .168 in May, Santana had no answers.

"I don't know," he said. "I'm just going to try and start normal. I'm going to try and keep it the same all year.

"Last year I struggled the first two months, but in the second half I finished strong. This time I'm going try and do the same thing all year."

Francona said it's impossible to project how a player is going to start a season.

"I say it every year," he said. "Some guys are going to start hot. Some guys are going to start slow."

Francona said the key is for those players to somehow equal the track record they've already forged in the big leagues.

Santana did visit a church before he left the Dominican Republic for spring training. Perhaps that will help.

After yearly visit to the Basilica for prayers and offerings, off to Goodyear today, ready for new #MLB season ✈️⚾️ pic.twitter.com/SNw8a06KZa — Carlos Santana MLB⚾️ (@TheRealSlamtana) February 18, 2015

Finally: Position players were expected to report Sunday. Francona said all players were accounted for. The first full-squad workout is Tuesday.