Major League Baseball

Indians hold first full-squad workout of spring training

Published Feb. 23, 2016 6:09 p.m. ET

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GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) The Indians held their first full squad workout of spring training on Tuesday as they look for a fifth starter and an outfielder to fill in for Michael Brantley while he misses the first part of the season.

Cleveland is looking to bounce back from underachievement last year to beat the World Series champions Kansas City in the AL Central.

Cleveland's rotation will look very similar to what they put forth last season. Right-handers Josh Tomlin and Cody Anderson lead the competition for the fifth starting spot, but left-hander T.J. House will contend as well.

The starting rotation is mostly settled, but the Indians outfield and offense is much more unsettled.

Cleveland's best all-around player, Michael Brantley, had shoulder surgery in November and will likely miss the first couple of months of the season, leaving the Indians searching for a temporary replacement in left field.

Veteran outfielder Rajai Davis, who signed a one-year deal with the team this offseason, will likely start when the season begins, as will right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall, but others such as Abraham Almonte, Joey Butler, Collin Cowgirl, Jose Ramirez and Shane Robinson will compete for the spot.

The Indians infield will also have a new look on the infield corners.

Power-hitting veteran Mike Napoli will be the primary first basemen, while it appears as though another veteran, Juan Uribe, will handle third.

Uribe has agreed to a contract with the Indians but can't sign until he clears up issues regarding his visa and returns to the United States.

The middle infield will consist of two-time All-Star Jason Kipnis and second-year shortstop Francisco Lindor, who finished second in 2015 rookie of the year voting.

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NOTES:

Former Indians designated hitter Jason Giambi has joined the team in Goodyear as a guest instructor. Having retired following the 2013 season in Cleveland, Giambi took a year off from the game, but said on Monday the he's trying to determine whether he's ready to begin his post-playing career as a coach. ... The Indians announced Tuesday that Tomlin will start the first game of the Cactus League schedule against the Cincinnati Reds on March 1, while Anderson will start the second game of spring training against the Reds on March 2. Right-hander Carlos Carrasco will follow with a start on March 3 against the Reds.

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