Uribe to debut Monday in 'B' game

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Third baseman Juan Uribe is scheduled to make his game debut for the Indians on Monday morning, but it will be on a backfield at Cleveland's Spring Training headquarters.
Indians manager Terry Francona indicated that Uribe is slated to serve as the designated hitter in Monday morning's "B" game with the Reds at 12:30 p.m. ET on Monday on Field 1 at the Tribe's complex. Francona said he will continue to meet with Uribe to determine the best time to begin playing him in Cactus League contests.
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"We'll just keep talking to him," Francona said on Sunday. "We were going to take him over to the Dodgers game [Monday afternoon], but he said, 'I'd like a couple more days.' So, I think the 'B' game is probably a really good idea."

The Indians officially signed the 36-year-old Uribe on Feb. 28, and he has spent the past week taking part in morning workouts with his new team. As things stand, Uribe projects to be Cleveland's regular third baseman, with Jose Ramirez also expected to garner some at-bats at the position. Third baseman Giovanny Urshela appears ticketed for Triple-A Columbus to open the regular season.
Other items of note from Sunday
• Right-hander Zach McAllister was originally scheduled to throw two innings of relief during Cleveland's game against the Dodgers on Monday, but the reliever has been scratched from the outing. Francona noted that McAllister is fighting flu-like symptoms.
"He's got the flu," Francona said. "He came down with the flu in the middle of the night. I'm hopeful that it's one of those where we have [only] a couple [non-players who are also sick]. Hopefully, it won't make the rounds, but I know in Arizona it's going around and it seems to have gotten a few people in our organization."
• Lefty Giovanni Soto, who is competing for a spot in Cleveland's bullpen, allowed three runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Giants. The 24-year-old lefty walked four in his ninth-inning appearance, which was his second Cactus League outing this spring.
"I was surprised yesterday," Francona said on Sunday. "Of all the lefties, he's probably demonstrated the best feel for a breaking ball early in camp. [Bullpen coach Jason Bere] said he warmed up really well, nice and easy. Man, the game started and you could tell he was struggling. He just couldn't get a feel for anything."
• Left fielder Michael Brantley had a scheduled checkup with Dr. Craig Morgan on Sunday in Goodyear, Ariz. Morgan was the surgeon who operated on Brantley's right shoulder in November. To date, Brantley has made encouraging progress in his hitting program behind the scenes, but there remains no firm timetable for his return to game action.
• Left-hander Ross Detwiler (one inning), Jarrett Grube (two innings) and Will Roberts (one inning) are scheduled to pitch in Monday morning's "B" game against the Reds at Cleveland's complex. Catcher Anthony Recker will join Uribe in getting some at-bats in the game as a DH.