CLEVELAND, Ohio - There aren't a lot of open spots on the Indians this spring, but the competition for the ones that are should start to percolate right around now.
The Indians played their 15th spring-training game Thursday night. Following manager Terry Francona's formula, this is when players should start to claim those jobs. One of the openings is in the outfield, another is for the utility man's job.
In the outfield Rajai Davis, Brandon Barnes, Melvin Upton Jr., Rob Refsnyder and Tyler Naquin are the main competitors. Greg Allen is in the conversation as well.
Erik Gonzalez and Giovanny Urshela, both out of options, are the top competitors for the utility job.
Regarding the outfield, Francona said, "Those guys are in competition for one spot, maybe two. It depends on what we do and the health of other guys. A guy like Brandon Barnes can play all three outfield positions and that's very important. We want to get Refsnyder some time in left. He's been playing a lot of right and center field."
Michael Brantley (right ankle) and Brandon Guyer (left wrist) could open the season on the disabled list. Brandon Zimmer is expected to start in center with Lonnie Chisenhall platooning in right with, perhaps, Abraham Almonte.
Barnes, Davis and Upton are in camp on minor-league deals.
Gonzalez and Urshela were signed and developed by the Indians. Gonzalez has more experience bouncing around the diamond, while Urshela played mostly third base until last year. Both have been offensively challenged in the big leagues, but to Francona defense comes first for a utility man.
"My first thought is if they can't catch the ball it makes it really difficult (to play them)," said Francona. "That's not an issue with them.
"It's going to be a hard decision. There are a lot of split camps. I go back and forth as well."
In the early part of the exhibition season, Francona likes to play the guys competing for jobs, while easing his regulars into the lineup. After two weeks or so of games, he feels the players looking for work should have their timing down and can really start competing for jobs.
Bad news: Right-hander Julian Merryweather, in his first big league camp, will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Friday. Dr. Keith Meister with perform the surgery in Dallas.
Merryweather stopped throwing after a Feb. 16 bullpen session. Merryweather, who pitched at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus last year, was a fifth-round pick by the Indians in 2014.
Sick bay: Brantley and Danny Salazar were sent home Thursday because of strep throat. Salazar will not open the season on time because of a sore right shoulder. Brantley played in a simulated by Wednesday - he did not run - and went 2-for-4.
Brantley has been rehabbing his ankle all spring, but he's been able to swing the bat the whole time.
"He's been hitting a ton," said Francona.
Finally: Shortstop Francisco Lindor played his third straight game on Thursday night, homering in the sixth inning. "Frankie asked if he could do it," said Francona. ... Cody Allen and Andrew Miller haven't pitched much this spring. "He and Cody are on the same program," said Francona. "They don't need a lot of innings. Just because they don't pitch in a game, it doesn't mean they're showing up and going home. They're doing a ton of stuff to get ready for the season. Whether it's in the weight room, they're just trying to get ready to log a heavy lift."