Inbox: Has Rosario's spring caused concern?

The Indians have just five days remaining in Spring Training to sort out their Opening Day roster. In this week’s Indians Inbox, let’s take a look at what we know:

Has there been any concern about Eddie Rosario’s slow start in spring?
-- @mattgoody2
It’s not difficult to see why fans would be concerned about left fielder Eddie Rosario, who was the Indians' big offseason signing this winter. Through 14 spring games, he has a .125 batting average, no extra-base hits and a .288 OPS. Considering he told Franmil Reyes, “In the season you will see me rocking baseballs,” no one seems to be worried about Rosario inside the clubhouse.

“He goes, 'I'm trying to get ready for a long season,' which I understand,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “I do think you've seen his attention a little bit greater the last couple of games, because he knows we're getting closer. And he's hit a couple balls on the head. Eddie will be just fine. Hopefully, he plays in almost every game this year and hits right in the middle of the order.”

Will Jordan Luplow start the year on the injured list?
-- @CTown_Squirrel
Assuming he doesn’t have any setbacks, outfielder Jordan Luplow will not start the year on the injured list. The Indians think he still has enough time to get ready for the season despite missing the majority of camp because of a left ankle sprain. But Francona has been clear that the team wants Luplow’s bat as an option, especially against lefties. So expect Luplow to be ready to go for Opening Day.

Who will win the center-field job and the last two spots in the bullpen?
-- @ValerianPete
I was leaning toward writing Ben Gamel’s name as the Opening Day center fielder, but Francona’s decision to start Luplow in center on Wednesday night against the D-backs caused this answer to change. Since his ankle seems to be holding up just fine, Luplow probably makes the most sense.

Gamel and Bradley Zimmer have been manning center field frequently this spring, but Zimmer has shown some inconsistency at the plate and on the bases that may be concerning to the Indians. The team has been more than pleased about Gamel so far, but with left-hander Matthew Boyd set to toe the rubber on Opening Day against the Indians, it’s difficult to believe Luplow wouldn’t get the start in center. Will he get consistent playing time there? That’s to be determined.

And here’s my best guess at the projected bullpen: James Karinchak, Nick Wittgren, Emmanuel Clase, Phil Maton, Trevor Stephan, Bryan Shaw, Adam Plutko and Oliver Pérez. (Kyle Nelson could replace Pérez on this list, but I’m sticking with the veteran.)

Will the Indians use a closer by committee to start the season, or will they use Karinchak?
-- @RickyBortolamio
This is a great question, and it’s one we’re still waiting for some clarity on. Every time Francona is asked about the closer situation, he’s hesitant to commit to the idea of a traditional closer. He has mentioned plenty of times that he’d like the flexibility of going to his best reliever -- most likely Karinchak -- in the most crucial situation of a game, even if it is in the seventh inning. That suggests going with a closer-by-committee plan, at least to start the season, splitting up save opportunities among Karinchak, Wittgren and, eventually, Clase.

Who is the best No. 4 starter option?
-- @BLDickey
We all know Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale will be the top three starters. From there, it’ll be some combination of Triston McKenzie, Logan Allen and Cal Quantrill. Because the Indians are looking to move their fifth starter to the bullpen in April (since the team has five off-days) and McKenzie has hardly pitched the past two years, it might make the most sense for him to be the fifth starter and begin the season in the 'pen. Between Allen and Quantrill, Allen has looked like a completely different pitcher this year and has turned a lot of heads, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he locked up that fourth spot.