Francona hasn’t watched Indians’ Game 7 loss

Associated Press

GOODYEAR, Ariz.

Manager Terry Francona hasn’t watched the Cleveland Indians’ Game 7 loss to the Chicago Cubs in the World Series. He’s not one to look back.

The Indians’ extra-inning loss to the Cubs in one of the best World Series finishes was difficult for Cleveland to get past. Francona didn’t dwell on it.

“I don’t spend a lot of time on what has already happened,” he said Tuesday. “It doesn’t do any good.”

The Indians are a favorite to reach the playoffs again this season with a roster that has proven it can win close games. They’re expecting outfielder Michael Brantley and pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar to be back in form after injuries. They also added slugger Edwin Encarnacion.

“At this time of year, everyone is at glass half-full,” Francona said as the Indians opened spring training. “We have good reason to be.”

The Indians’ run extended Cleveland’s year of resurgence. The Cavaliers won the NBA title, ending the city’s long streak without a major championship, and the Indians took Game 7 to extra innings before falling short of their first title since 1948. With the Cubs winning their first championship since 1908, the Indians have the longest drought in the majors.

Francona is interested in seeing how the Indians respond to it.

“There are a lot of unknowns,” he said. “Just being brutally honest, it could go one of two ways. They could come back with a sense of entitlement, or they can come back being hungry, knowing where they were and be like, man, I want to get back there again. My bet is on No. 2 with this team.”

Indians, LHP Narveson agree to minor league contract

Free agent left-hander Chris Narveson has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.

Narveson, who was on Miami’s opening-day roster last season, will be at spring training with the AL champions this week in Goodyear, Arizona. The 35-year-old has a 30-19 major league record in 118 games (65 starts).

He has also pitched with St. Louis, Milwaukee. Narveson won a combined 23 games for the Brewers in 2010 and 2011.

Narveson will compete for one of the openings in Cleveland’s bullpen. The Indians are looking to add another lefty to go with All-Star Andrew Miller and Boone Logan, who signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the club last week.

Narveson limited left-handed batters to a .218 average at Triple-A New Orleans and posted a 3.60 ERA in 15 starts.

ALSO OF NOTE …

Grady Sizemore has been hired as a player development adviser. He’ll spend time in the Indians’ camp. Sizemore played for the Indians from 2004-11 and was a three-time All-Star.