Indians notes: Big-time prospect Daniel Johnson not on 30-man roster

CLEVELAND — The Indians cleared more room at big league summer camp Monday, informing outfielder Daniel Johnson, veteran relief pitcher David Hernandez and catcher Beau Taylor they won't be on the Opening Day 30-man roster. The moves came three days after four others — including right-hander Jefry Rodriguez, who made eight starts for Cleveland last year — received the same news. Johnson and Hernandez will report to the team's alternate training site in Eastlake, where they will remain during the season. Taylor, the Indians' third catcher, will stay with the big league team in Cleveland and will travel with the Indians as a taxi squad member once the regular season begins. The 25-year-old Johnson, who along with Nolan Jones, represented Cleveland in the Futures Game at Progressive Field last year and appeared to have a shot at making the team as an extra outfielder. He had an impressive summer camp after a big season in the minors last year and was battling Bradley Zimmer, Greg Allen and Jake Bauers for a roster spot. "Like we do with everybody, we tried to be as honest as we can," manager Terry Francona said of Johnson, who split last year between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, batting a combined .290 with 19 home runs, 77 RBIs and a slash line of .361/.507/.868 in 123 games. "We told him coming into spring training this year in Goodyear (Ariz.) we had him behind a significant amount of other guys just because of where he was in his career. And then coming into this camp, he made it really difficult. "We tried to explain to him that sometimes you're sending guys down and it's crushing. Other times, you're just informing them that this might not be their time yet, but it could be right on the horizon. I didn't want it to get lost in the disappointment of not making the club how impressive he's been." Order up Francona said he considered Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana for the second spot in the batting order before settling on Ramirez. "To me, they were in interchangeable spots," he said. "Josey runs a little better. I think Carlos is more comfortable hitting cleanup, as far as hitting second and fourth. That's really all it was, those two things. I think they're interchangeable." With new second baseman Cesar Hernandez leading off, Ramirez batting second, Francisco Lindor hitting third and Santana at cleanup, the Indians will start the season with four switch-hitters atop the order. "I know it can take away some of your balance when bullpen guys come in but I think your idea is to beat the starter," Francona said. "I think we feel like that's probably our four best guys, taking everything into consideration — whether it's speed, on-base, power. It probably situates us the best way to win a game. If we ever feel differently, we can certainly change it." A little rusty Thanks to the long layoff and short time to prepare, Francona expects some sloppy play early in the regular season. "When we've talked to our group about when these real games start, with or without people, the speed of the game increases," he said. "And without the repetitions, teams are going to make mistakes. So we want to make sure we run the bases hard and smartly and not try to do too much on defense, take outs. When the game speeds up, guys are going to make mistakes, especially that first week." Welcome back Pirates first-year manager Derek Shelton spent five seasons as the Indians' hitting coach from 2004-08. Much of the tenure was on a staff with Carl Willis during Willis' first stint as Cleveland's pitching coach (2003-09) under manager Eric Wedge. "I don't know him very well, but I feel like I do, just because guys like Carl speak so highly of him," Francona said of Shelton, who spent two seasons as the Twins' bench coach before being hired by Pittsburgh in November. "I reached out to him earlier this week (prior to Saturday's exhibition game in Pittsburgh). We told him to feel free to do whatever he needs to do to get his team ready. He actually reached out and said, 'I might be giving you a call when I make a mistake.' And I Just told him, I said, 'Feel free to make that against us.' That was the only advice I gave him." The Indians and Pirates are scheduled to meet six times during the 60-game regular season — Aug. 18-20 in Pittsburgh and then Sept. 25-27 at Progressive Field to close out the season. Roundin' third The Indians will hold another instrasquad game tonight at Progressive Field before heading back to Pittsburgh's PNC Park on Wednesday (7:05 p.m.) for their third exhibition game in five days against the Pirates. Right-hander Aaron Civale is scheduled to pitch for Cleveland against LHP Derek Holland. WTAM 1100-AM and WMMS 100.7-FM will provide radio coverage. The Indians open the regular season at home against the Royals on Friday (7:10 p.m.). Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on Twitter.