Trevor Bauer to start spring training opener for Indians, which will be televised

The Indians will play their first game of spring training on Wednesday, facing off against their Goodyear Ballpark roommates, the Reds.

Pitching coach Mickey Callaway says Trevor Bauer will start the game for the Indians, and Terry Francona says the recently-acquired Aaron Harang will also pitch that day. Francona says not to read anything into which guys are pitching that day, meaning this news doesn't mean Bauer is the frontrunner for the fifth spot in the rotation or anything like that.

Francona also said not to read much into Bauer's second bullpen session, though acknowledging that Bauer "had a rough day" Sunday, after an "encouraging" first session on Friday.

I would guess that the plan is for Bauer and Harang to each throw two innings Wednesday, as that's the norm for starters in their first appearance of spring training. A number of candidates for the bullpen will likely throw the other five innings. You can also expect most of the team's regulars to be in the starting lineup, and to stick around long enough to get a couple at bats, before being replaced (most of the replacements will likely be replaced as well, as 25+ players got an at bat in the Tribe's first couple games last February).

No word yet on whether or not Carlos Santana will start at third base, but I expect both he and Lonnie Chisenhall will see a fair amount of time there during the next week or two.

The game will begin at 3:00 ET, and will air on the MLB Network at 5:00 ET on a tape delay. We'll have a game thread up, because it's been far too long since we had that opportunity.