The 2012 MLB regular season is well underway with a full month of baseball already in the books. It is still a long road to October baseball but paths are already starting to take shape and many surprises have already occurred along the way. The beginning of the year brings promise but at this point in the season anything can still happen.

The highlight of the day will be when the Texas Rangers visit the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

In a battle between two first place teams in their respective divisions, Yu Darvish (4-0, 2.18 ERA) of the Rangers will take on Ubaldo Jimenez (2-2, 5.02 ERA) of the Indians. The defending American League Champion Texas Rangers continue to be one of the best teams in baseball but the Indians are proving they belong right up there with the better teams in the league.

With a number of great games to be played on the day, this will be one of the better ones.

Check your local listings for game times and channel listings in your area. With MLB.TV all games are also available nationwide (local blackouts apply).

Note: All start times Eastern

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m.

Texas Rangers at Cleveland Indians, 1:05 p.m.

Arizona Diamondbacks at New York Mets, 1:10 p.m.

Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox, 1:35 p.m.

Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates 1:35 p.m.

Oakland Athletics at Tampa Bay Rays, 1:40 p.m.

St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros, 2:05 p.m.

New York Yankees at Kansas City Royals, 2:10 p.m.

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.

Atlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies, 3:10 p.m.

Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Angels, 3:35 p.m.

Miami Marlins at San Diego Padres, 4:05 p.m.

Milwaukee Brewers at San Francisco Giants, 4:05 p.m.

Minnesota Twins at Seattle Mariners, 4:10 p.m.

Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals, 8:05 p.m.

Sources:

All data provided by MLB.com

Paul Rados is a Cleveland based freelance sportswriter and Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Through one-plus month of the baseball season, closing has proven hazardous to the mental and physical health. If closers are not getting rocked, they are tearing ACLs while shagging fly balls in batting practice.

The Indians have been fortunate. Not only has their closer survived, he has thrived. Chris Perez has 10 saves in 11 opportunities and a 3.09 ERA after Friday’s 6-3 victory over Texas. Since a rocky appearance on Opening Day, when he gave up three runs in two-thirds of an inning in a blown save against Toronto, he has allowed one run in 11 innings of 12 appearances.

While Perez has lived up to his All-Star status of last season, a number of his peers has had all sorts of issues. Here is a sampling of what already has befallen closers:

Mariano Rivera, Yankees: The greatest ever suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee during batting practice Thursday at Kansas City. He was tracking a fly ball hit by former Indian Jayson Nix. Rivera, 42, is a 12-time All-Star.

Brian Wilson, Giants: The three-time All-Star underwent Tommy John surgery in April, the second such surgery of his career.

Joakim Soria, Royals: The two-time All-Star injured his right elbow in spring training and underwent reconstructive surgery.

Sergio Santos, Blue Jays: He was placed on the disabled list April 21 because of right-shoulder inflammation. He is 2-for-4 in save chances and owns a 9.00 ERA in six games.

Carlos Marmol, Cubs: He entered Friday at 2-for-4 and owned a 6.23 ERA in 12 games. He was replaced as closer this week.

Heath Bell, Marlins: He entered Friday at 3-for-6 and owned an 11.74 ERA in 10 games. He went 43-for-48 last year with San Diego.

J.J. Putz, Diamondbacks: He entered Friday at 5-for-7 and owned a 6.48 ERA in nine games. He went 45-for-49 last year.

Jose Valverde, Tigers: He entered Friday at 4-for-5 and owned a 5.59 ERA in 10 games. In the 2011 regular season, he was 49-for-49 and had a 2.24 ERA.

Alfredo Aceves, Red Sox: He entered Friday at 5-for-7. In the two blown saves, he gave up eight runs.

Perez did not need to be informed as to how difficult it has been for closers this season.

“We’re sort of a fraternity,” he said. “We feel for each other, because we understand how short people’s memories can be. You’re always one or two bad streaks away from them calling for your job. And that’s how it should be. When you have the lead after eight innings, you’ve got to win those games.”

Nothing to see here: Perez does not care what a TV replay might suggest or what White Sox outfielder Alex Rios says. Perez reiterated Friday afternoon that he directed no ill will toward Rios at the end of Thursday night’s game in Chicago.

As Rios grounded to Asdrubal Cabrera for what was to become the final out of a 7-5 Tribe victory, Perez is seen turning toward the first-base line and yelling. As Rios runs to first, Perez’s head follows him.

Rios reached the bag and immediately turned. He flapped his arms and barked at Perez.

“When I was running to first, he was yelling the whole way,” Rios told reporters. “I don’t know what was wrong with him. He just started yelling at me. For no reason. I couldn’t tell what he was saying; he was just staring and saying something.”

Perez said he simply was pleased that the Indians prevailed.

“I wasn’t talking anything to Rios,” he said. “I couldn’t care less if it was he or (A.J.) Pierzynski or (Paul) Konerko — whoever made the last out, I was going to do the same thing. It was for the team. We had just won a series on the road.”

Perez maintained that his look toward the first-base line only was to follow the ball into first baseman Casey Kotchman‘s glove.

“When I knew Cabby had it, I yelled, ‘(Expletive), yeah! Game’s over!”’ Perez said. “I watched the ball go to first, then Rios spun on me. I said, ‘What? The game’s over. What’s your problem?”’

Rios said: “If you are celebrating, that’s not the right way to do it.”

Rios said he has no history with Perez — but he does have a walkoff grand slam against him. On Sept. 10, 2011, Rios’s blast with one out in the 10th inning gave the White Sox a 7-3 victory.

“Rios was happy after he hit that homer, as he should be,” Perez said. “And I had a right to be happy after we won a series in their place.”

Give him his due: Count Perez and his teammates among those pleased that Rivera has vowed to return next season. Rivera is MLB’s all-time saves leader with 608.

“You want to see him keep going, for all that he’s meant to the game,” Perez said. “As an athlete, you always want to go out on your own terms and not because you’re not good enough or because of injury.”

Tribe left fielder Johnny Damon said: “He’s one of the greatest pitchers of all time — not just relievers.”

Damon, who played with Rivera in New York, said the closer always has enjoyed running down balls in batting practice.

“For the past 17 years, he probably was the best center fielder the Yankees had,” Damon said. “That’s how good of a shagger he was.”

The scene between the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals on Saturday, April 14 at Kauffman Stadium resembled WWE Monday Night Raw on Monday, April 9. However, instead of WWE workers trying to separate superstars Brock Lesnar and John Cena in a staged incident, umpires, along with a mass of players, tried separating their respective teammates during genuinely heated moments.

Following two bench-clearing incidents, the Cleveland Indians lost starter Jeanmar Gomez, third baseman Jack Hannahan, and manager Manny Acta to ejections. No one from the Kansas City Royals received pink slips to the showers.

Trouble began in the top of the third after Kansas City starter Jonathan Sanchez hit Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo with a pitch. Choo jaw jacked with Sanchez, telling him to throw the ball over the plate–and next thing you know benches clear.

A similar incident occurred back on opening day April 5 against the Toronto Blue Jays. In the 15th inning during the Tribe’s opening day baseball marathon, Choo teased charging the mound after almost getting drilled by a high pitch. Earlier in the game, Toronto pitching did hit Choo.

Now, I imagine to an outsider Shin-Soo Choo may seem like a crying baby. After all, getting hit with pitches proves part of the game. However, get this: Over the first seven games Choo has been hit three times. In other words, through Saturday Choo remained on pace to get hit every other game.

Plus, back in 2011, the Cleveland Indians lost Shin-Soo Choo for a significant amount of time after a hit by pitch broke the right fielder’s thumb. Who threw this damaging pitch? Yes, Jonathan Sanchez. Considering all these facts, can you really blame the Tribe’s right fielder for voicing his frustration?

Personally, I believe comments ejected third baseman Jack Hannahan made to the media puts things best: “If we’re going to contend, we need our big boys healthy.”

Shin-Soo Choo represents one such “big boy.” In both 2009 and 2010, Choo batted .300 with at least 20 stolen bases, 31 doubles, 20 home runs, and 86 RBIs. Last season, Choo stood at the verge of turning his disappointing season around when Sanchez broke the outfielder’s thumb.

Ultimately, I find Shin-Soo Choo’s and the Cleveland Indians’ actions reassuring. The team sends the message they won’t sit idly by and watch one of their best offensive weapons suffer abuse. Moving forward, I’m sure opposing pitchers will likely think twice about pitching Choo too inside.

Advantage Cleveland!

Zachary Fenell fell in love with the Cleveland Indians during the 1995 season when the Tribe powered their way to the organization’s first World Series appearance since 1954. While the Indians lost some allure since the 1990s you will still find Zachary watching the games on TV, listening to them on the radio, or best yet taking in a game from the stands at Progressive Field.

More from This Contributor:

Fan’s Take: Cleveland Indians’ Early Offensive Struggles

Fan’s Take: Cleveland Indians Providing Reasons for Optimism

The Fan Experience: Cleveland Indians’ 2012 Opening Day

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Indians completed a three-game sweep Sunday of Kansas City by relying once again on their big-inning offense.

The Indians, with Ubaldo Jimenez on the mound, were trailing 3-0 when they scored six runs in the third inning on the way to a 13-7 victory at Kauffman Stadium. After a slow start to the season, the offense scored 32 runs in the sweep.

All six of the Indians’ runs in the third came with two out and no one on. Michael Brantley started the rally by barely beating out an infield single to second baseman Chris Getz with Luis Mendoza pitching. Asdrubal Cabrera singled to bring Shin-Soo Choo to the plate.

The crowd of 21,182 greeted Choo with boos for his part in Saturday night’s brawl-filled game. Choo hit a two-run double to cut Kansas City’s lead to 3-2. Mendoza intentionally walked Travis Hafner to set up a right-on-right confrontation with Shelley Duncan.

Two things happened in Duncan’s at-bat to turn the game around. First baseman Eric Hosmer dropped Duncan’s foul pop that should have ended the inning. Duncan followed with a three-run homer to deep left field for a 5-3 lead. It was Duncan’s second homer of the season and started a four-homer power fest by the Tribe.

Jack Hannahan’s RBI single completed the scoring in the third for a 6-3 lead.

In the fifth, Travis Hafner opened with a 456-foot homer that landed in a sports bar named Rivals located beyond the right-field bleachers. There is no truth to the rumor that the ball bounced up to the bar and bought a round for the house.

It was the second known homer by an Indians player that has landed in a stadium restaurant/bar. Several years ago Jim Thome hit a homer into a restaurant at Rogers Centre in Toronto above the center field wall. Thome remembered it as landing in someone’s salad and crushing a few croutons.

The Indians added three more runs in the inning for a 10-3 lead. Lou Marson, with his first hit of the season, hit a two-run double. Brantley followed with a RBI double of his own.

In the eighth, Casey Kotchman and Jason Kipnis became the first Indians to hit
consecutive homers this season. Kotchman hit a two-run shot and Kipnis followed with a solo drive to center. It was Kotchman’s second homer of the series. Kipnis leads the team with three.

Ubaldo Jimenez did a five-and-fly for the victory. Even with the big six-run third, Jimenez was not a joy to watch. It took him 112 pitches to go five innings. He allowed four runs on nine hits and three walks.

Jimenez, throwing between 95 mph and 97 mph in the fifth, struck out five.

The Royals took a 3-0 lead in the second. Alcides Escobar doubled home the first run and Chris Getz followed with a two-run single.

The Indians outscored the Royals, 32-19, in the series. Kansas City’s bullpen was so depleted that center fielder Mitch Maier had to pitch the ninth. He held the Tribe scoreless in his second big-league appearance as a pitcher.

I am sure the Cleveland Indians had not planned on finishing their Opening Series with a 1-4 record and a game to be played later due to weather. Cleveland had a pretty rough Spring Training, which usually means very little. Unfortunately their struggles carried over into the regular season.

In their most recent series against the Chicago White Sox, the only factor that may have prevented a three-game sweep was the fact the game on Tuesday, April 10 was postponed due to weather.

The Results:

Monday, April 9: Cleveland Indians 2, Chicago White Sox 4

Tuesday, April 10: Postponed due to weather.

Wednesday, April 11: Cleveland Indians 6, Chicago White Sox 10.

The Cleveland Indians finished their three-game series against the Chicago White Sox with a 0-2 record. Cleveland is now 1-4 on the season.

Happy Wahoo:

Utility infielder Jose Lopez, filling in for Casey Kotchman on Monday, April 9 hit his first home run of the season in the bottom of the ninth inning.

DH Travis Hafner gave Indians’ fans hope on Wednesday, April 11 with a 2-5 performance including a home run and three RBIs. He is batting .267 so far this season. If he is able to keep up that type of production at least on a semi-regular basis, his high salary may be justified.

LF Shelly Duncan continues to prove he should be an everyday player boasting a season batting average of .294. On Wednesday, April 11 he had a 3-5 performance at the plate belting a home run and collecting a pair of RBIs.

Sad Wahoo:

One of the most important roles of a leadoff hitter is to get on base. Unfortunately for Michael Brantley he is hitting just .059 on the season. Other hitters struggling early on at the plate include Shin-Soo Choo (.167), Casey Kotchman (.095), and Jason Kipnis (.095).

Relief pitching has been substandard and offense has been stagnant. Alas it is early in the season and the Cleveland weather is a bit chilly compared to the warm Arizona sun. (I’m trying to think of some justification here).

Looking Ahead:

Cleveland will make its first road trip of the season beginning Friday, April 13 when they travel to face the Kansas City Royals for a three-game series. Following that series they will play a three-game West Coast trio of games against both the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics respectively.

More Cleveland Indians Commentary from Paul Rados:

Cleveland Indians ink Carlos Santana to multiyear deal: A fan’s reaction

Cleveland Indians’ highs and lows against the Toronto Blue Jays: A fan’s take

Cleveland Indians announce 25-man roster: Fan Take

Cleveland Indians’ Fill the House for Charity Campaign

Cleveland Indians make time for sick teen during Spring Training

Sources:

All data provided by MLB.com

Paul Rados is an avid Cleveland Indians fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — So much for a season-opening homestand to get everybody stoked for Indians baseball 2012.

In the finale Wednesday afternoon, the Indians had Justin Masterson starting and scored six — and still lost. What does that tell you about the Wahoo misery index?

The White Sox held a four-run lead through five batters and posted a 10-6 victory at chilly and largely unpopulated Progressive Field. Paid attendance: 9,072. The Indians went 1-4 on the scheduled six-game homestand. They were 1-2 against Toronto and swept by the White Sox. Inclement weather intervened to postpone Tuesday’s game.

“It’s very disappointing,” designated hitter Travis Hafner said. “We wanted to get out of the chute well and didn’t do that.”

Because these five games occurred at the outset of the season, Masterson said, they are magnified.

“You can look at it as, this will be a trend, or, it’s just an odd occurrence,” he said. “Knowing the history of the individuals in here, it’s just an odd occurrence.”

After hitting .153 and scoring 14 times through four games, the Tribe’s offense — specifically, Hafner (homer, double, three RBI) and Shelley Duncan (3-for-5, two-run homer) — got busy. But the output was not close to enough because of an uncharacteristically pedestrian outing by Masterson, shaky defense, lack of clutch hitting and continued bad relief pitching.

The bullpen, so bullish last season, has given up 17 earned runs in 23 innings.

“Five games are not going to make me panic about my bullpen, my offense, defense or anything like that,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “We’re five games into it, and in five games, things can change again. Everybody goes through the up-and-down periods, and we’re in [a down period] right now.”

With the Indians commencing a nine-game trip Friday in Kansas City, Mo., Acta was asked if it is a good time to be going on the road.

“Never a good time to hit the road,” he said. “We’re rather be here, playing in Progressive Field, in front of our crowds, sleeping in our own beds. I wish we could have stayed here another week.”

Yes, Acta said, even if the weather remained uncomfortable. It was 45 degrees at 12:07 p.m. first pitch Wednesday.

“It’s something you can’t control,” Acta said. “Both teams are playing under the same conditions. This is one of the times of year when it’s cold here.”

Foul weather typically makes Masterson’s power sinker that much more difficult to hit fair. The White Sox, though, were able to square it up when necessary. Masterson allowed five runs (three earned) on eight hits, walked one and struck out two in five innings. He was coming off a terrific eight-inning performance against the Blue Jays on Opening Day.

“Justin wasn’t dominant, but he wasn’t bad at all,” Acta said. “He was a little inconsistent with his command. That was it.”

Masterson entered the day at 3-4 with a 2.09 ERA in 14 career appearances against the White Sox, including 3-4, 2.13, in 10 starts. In those 10 starts, he gave up two or fewer earned runs nine times. Masterson was 2-2 with a 1.61 ERA in four starts against Chicago last season.

None of past success mattered in the first. Alejandro De Aza led off with a single to center. Brett Morel bunted toward third, where Jack Hannahan fielded cleanly but forced first baseman Casey Kotchman off the bag with a wide throw. Masterson (0-1, 2.77 ERA) got ahead of Adam Dunn, 0-2. Dunn did not try to do too much and hit a roller up the middle past second baseman Jason Kipnis for an RBI single.

Paul Konerko ripped an 0-1 pitch down the left-field line for an RBI double, Dunn stopping at third. Dunn scored when Masterson’s first pitch to A.J. Pierzynski was wild. Pierzynski then drove a full-count pitch that Michael Brantley ran down in left-center; Konerko trotted home with the fourth run. Three runs were earned.

The Indians scored once in the first and threatened again in the third, loading the bases with two outs. Carlos Santana grounded routinely to third, but Morel’s throw needed to be picked out of the dirt by Konerko.

Hafner led off the fourth against lefty John Danks (1-1, 5.40) with a first-pitch rocket to the second deck in right — the area formerly known as “Pronkville.” The ball traveled an estimated 433 feet.

Duncan and Casey Kotchman singled. Jason Kipnis put them in scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. The Indians’ opportunity for a crooked number dissolved when Hannahan swung through a 2-2 changeup and Brantley grounded to second. The Tribe finished 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11.

Chicago made it 5-2 in the fifth, but the Indians responded in their half with Hafner’s two-run double into the right-field corner. It came after one-out walks by Shin-Soo Choo and Carlos Santana.

The White Sox blew it open with a five-run sixth against Dan Wheeler and Rafael Perez. De Aza smacked a two-run homer off Wheeler and Pierzynski cranked a two-out, three-run homer off Perez. The Indians had intentionally walked Konerko to get to Pierzynski.

Duncan’s two-run homer in the seventh accounted for the final margin.

“We didn’t pitch well enough or play good enough defense,” Acta said.

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

During the season’s opening series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Cleveland Indians provided Clevelanders various reasons to remain optimistic about the 2012 baseball campaign.

The Indians entered the year seemingly with more questions than the AP history exams I remember taking in high school. Several of these questions involve whether certain players can enjoy bounce-back seasons, including starters Ubaldo Jimenez, Derek Lowe, and designated hitter Travis Hafner.

Ubaldo Jimenez

MLB.com columnist Anthony Castrovice recently describes Jimenez as “(someone) on the short list of guys whose performance this season will have a drastic, decisive impact on their club’s ability to contend.” The most critical fans already claim the 2011 trade that brought Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland a bust, writing in and calling up the Cleveland media to publicize their grievances. Such judgments remain premature on several levels.

On Saturday, April 7, Ubaldo Jimenez displayed exactly why Cleveland management proved willing to depart with so many talented prospects to acquire the former Colorado Rockies ace. Jimenez pitched seven dominant innings, carrying a perfect game all the way into the sixth. I believe the outing serves as an omen of things to come for the starter in 2012, especially at Progressive Field. During Sunday, April 8′s pregame telecast, Channel 3 WKYC noted Jimenez holds a 2-2 record with a 2.79 ERA in six games at “The Prog.” Not too shabby!

Derek Lowe

Previously in my article “The 2012 Cleveland Indians Starting Rotation: A Fan’s Look” I commented, “If Lowe returns to this form, he could be considered Cleveland’s most underrated offseason move.” Five times in Lowe’s career the starter has won at least 15 games in a single season, most recently winning 16 games in 2010.

Lowe could well be on his way to this accomplishment again, going seven strong innings April 8 without allowing an earned run. Cleveland Indians television broadcasters Matt Underwood and Rick Manning mentioned during the game April 8 a reason for Lowe’s 9-17 2011 record stemmed from lacking run support, bringing us to…

Travis Hafner

If the Cleveland Indians wish to piece together their best offense possible, the man known to the city as “Pronk” will need to step up his production from the past few seasons. Now, I’m not simply referring to increasing home run numbers. I’ll settle for good at-bats, something Hafner already demonstrated during the opening series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

In addition to two hits in 10 plate appearances, Pronk drew three walks. That meager 2-for-10 could look a lot better if a bad foul call doesn’t rob Hafner of a probable double. Anyhow, complaining won’t do any good, so let’s move on and prepare for more baseball.

Zachary Fenell fell in love with the Cleveland Indians during the 1995 season when the Tribe powered their way to the organization’s first World Series appearance since 1954. While the Indians lost some allure since the 1990s you will still find Zachary watching the games on TV, listening to them on the radio, or best yet taking in a game from the stands at Progressive Field.

More from This Contributor:

The Fan Experience: Cleveland Indians’ 2012 Opening Day

Fan’s Take: How Significant is Travis Hafner to 2012 Cleveland Indians?

Cleveland Indians Reach Two-Year Deal with Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera: A Fan’s Reaction

 GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Gaudy spring training numbers can’t save a prospect from getting optioned to the minors with the Indians.

 It didn’t keep Lonnie Chisenhall in big league camp last spring even though he hit .500 (13-for-26) with two doubles, one triple, two homers and five RBI.

 Left-hander Scott Barnes doesn’t hit for a living, but he did put up impressive numbers this spring and was still option to the minors Thursday morning along with Nick Weglarz, Thomas Neal and Danny Salazar.

 Barnes pitched seven scoreless innings in three Cactus League games before being optioned to Class AAA Columbus along with Weglarz and Neal. Salazar was optioned to Class A Carolina.

 In Wednesday’s 2-2 10-inning tie against the Giants, Barnes finished the game with three scoreless innings, facing the minimum of nine batters. He allowed one hit, but that hitter was thrown out attempting to steal second.

 Barnes impressed manager Manny Acta and the coaching staff, but Acta made it clear to reporters after Wednesday’s game that he did not have a chance to break camp with the big league club.

 ”He’s not competing to make our club out of spring training,” said Acta. “We do see him contributing to our ballclub, but we don’t know when. . .April 10, April 30, May, June? I’m being realistic.”

 Barnes throws a fastball, slider and change up. His velocity ranges from 90 mph to 94 mph. He missed the second half of last season because of surgery on his left knee.

 ”He’s has been very aggressive this spring,” said Acta. “He hasn’t been intimidated at all. He has a good changed up that we haven’t seen too much in spring training, but we saw it last year.”

 Neal and Weglarz missed much of last season with injuries. Neal was hitless in seven at-bats this spring. Weglarz hit .250 (1-for-4).

 He’s back: On Feb. 21, the Indians trade lefty Kelvin De La Cruz to Texas for cash after designating him for assignment. On Thursday, they reacquired De La Cruz from Texas, reportedly, for the same amount of cash.

 The Rangers needed roster space and offered him back to the Tribe. De La Cruz made one appearance for the Rangers.

 Take a look: With Casey Kotchman out with a lower back strain, Acta says Beau Mills will be getting more of a look from the big league club. Mills, a No.1 pick in 2007, isn’t in big league camp, but he’ll be used as an extra player in Cactus League games.

 There are 55 players in camp.

 Another look: With first baseman Casey Kotchman sidelined with a sore lower back, Acta says he’d like to see Beau Mills a few more times this spring. Mills was a late-inning replacement at first base on Wednesday against the Giants.

 The Indians made Mills their No.1 pick in 2007, but he’s struggled.

 ”He’s still very young,” said Acta. “No one here has given up on him. He had a good season last year. With our situation at first base, he’s a guy who is still in our plans. Just because we didn’t bring him to camp to begin with doesn’t mean we’re not thinking of him.”

 Acta said he’ll use Mills, 25, as an extra player from time to time this spring.

 ”I want to take a look at him whenever I get an opportunity,” said Acta.

 Mills, who is not on the 40-man roster, hit .269 with seven homers and 18 RBI in 35 games at Class AAA Columbus last year. He combined to hit 18 homers with 67 RBI at Columbus at Class AA Akron.

 Sellout crowd: The Indians have sold out their home opener April 5 against Toronto at Progressive Field. It’s the 20th straight home opener sellout for the Indians, the last 19 at Progressive Field.

 From a historical perspective, it will be the Indians’ 112th opening day as a charter member of the American League.

 Gates will open at 1 p.m. for the 3:05 p.m. start. All fans will receive an Indians magnet schedule.

 Today’s lineups:

 White Sox: CF Alejandro De Aza, C A.J. Pierzynski, DH Alex Rios, RF Kosuke Fukudome, SS Alexei Ramirez, LF Dayan Viciedo, 3B Brent Morel, 1B Dan Johnson, 2B Gordon Beckham, P Dylan Axelrod.

 Indians: CF Michael Brantley, 2B Jason Kipnis, DH Shin-Soo Choo, C Carlos Santana, 1B Shelley Duncan, LF Russ Canzler, 3B Jack Hannahan, RF Ryan Spilborghs, SS Jason Donald, P Justin Masterson.

 Injuries: Relievers Rafael Perez (left shoulder) and Robinson Tejada (right calf) threw simulated games Thursday and should be back in Cactus League action this weekend or next week. . .First baseman Casey Kotchman (back) swung the bat in soft toss Thursday. Acta says he’s getting closer to game action. Kotchman has missed five days. . .The White Sox scratched Adam Dunn from Thursday’s lineup with a stiff neck. . .Carlos Carrasco (Tommy John surgery) was placed on the 60-day disabled list to open a spot on the Tribe’s 40-man roster. 

 Baseball breakfast: The Plain Dealer is holding its annual Opening Day breakfast to talk Indians baseball. It’s $25 a person from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at The Plain Dealer.

 There will be a breakfast buffet with door prizes.

 Terry Pluto, Dennis Manoloff and Paul Hoynes will take questions. To register go to plaindealer.com/homeopener. For questions call 216-999-4028.

 Next: Kevin Slowey will face Garret Richards of the Angels on Friday in Tempe, Ariz. Game will be on indians.com webcast. . .Thursday’s game between the Tribe and White Sox can be seen on SportsTime Ohio at 4:05 p.m. ET. WTAM will carry the game, but the broadcast will be delayed.

For the 20th straight year, the Cleveland Indians will play their home opener in front of a sold-out crowd.

The team announced early this morning that the Thursday, April 5 home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays is sold out. First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. This will be the Indians’ 19th straight sellout in a home opener at Progressive Field since the ballpark opened in 1994. The 2012 season also marks the club’s 112th Opening Day in Cleveland as a charter member of the American League.  

Gates will open at 1 p.m. for the opener, and all fans will receive a 2012 Indians magnet schedule.

Seats still remain for the two additional games of the opening series against Toronto (April 7-8 at 1:05 p.m.).

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians have named Justin Masterson as their Opening Day starter for April 5 against Toronto at Progressive Field.

Manager Manny Acta announced the move Friday morning.

Masterson went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 34 games, including 33 starts last year. He struck out 158, walked 65 and allowed 211 hits in a career-high 216 innings.

“It’s well deserved,” said Acta. “Coming into the season last year we all knew he had the stuff. He went through a rough time the year before (2010) making the transition to being a starter, but he learned a lot.

“He earned it by being the guy we wanted to see out there every five days. By being the guy that whenever you rolled into another town, the other team was wondering if they were going to see him or not. That’s what being a No.1 means in this league.”

Acta’s choices for Opening Day were Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez. He told them of his decision Thursday.

“We’ve come a long way to actually think about it and have choices for our Opening Day starter,” said Acta. “Two years ago we named Jake Westbrook, who was coming back from Tommy John surgery and had three starts in Puerto Rico. This year we had a choice between Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez.”

Acta probably would have made the announcement sooner, but he wanted to see how Masterson handled his work early in camp. Masterson had surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder to remove a cyst and correct a posterior labral tear at the end of last season.

“It wasn’t a tough call at all,” said Acta. “Everyone knew this guy was our horse last year and Ubaldo wasn’t on top of his game. Justin wasn’t our Opening Day starter last year and he ended up being our No.1. That’s just one date. After the season starts rolling over, everyone is No.1 on their day.”

Acta said Jimenez took the news well.

“Ubaldo was very appreciate that we talked to him,” said Acta. “He understands. He clearly understands. He didn’t have his typical year last year.

“This guy has already been the Rockies Opening Day starter after their World Series year. He knows his job is to be a No.1 pitching out of the No.2 spot.”

The Indians acquired Jimenez from Colorado on July 31 for No.1 picks Drew Pomeranz and Alex White and two other players. Jimenez went 10-13 with a 4.68 ERA, including a 4-4 record with a 5.10 ERA in 11 starts with the Indians.

Roberto Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, was the Tribe’s Opening Day starter last year. He allowed 10 earned runs in three innings in a 15-10 loss to Chicago.  It was the most runs, according to Elias, ever allowed by a starting pitcher who threw no more than three innings in his team’s first game of the season.

“I hope I can do a little better than what Rob (Hernandez) did last year,” said Masterson. “It’s an honor to be out there. I want to set the tone for the team, the game and for the season.

“It should be fun. It’s usually a packed house in Cleveland on Opening Day. Who doesn’t like playing in that situation?”

After Masterson and Jimenez, Josh Tomlin and Derek Lowe will fill the top four spots in the rotation. Acta says he won’t know how Tomlin and Lowe line up until later this month. The competition for the fifth spot includes Kevin Slowey, Zach McAllister, Jeanmar Gomez and David Huff.