GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians made their second round of cuts Monday, the most notable player to go, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall.

Chisenhall, who made a strong impression at training camp, was one of seven players trimmed from the spring training roster. He was re-assigned to minor league camp along with RHP Zach Putnam, RHP Alex White, catcher Juan Apodaca and infielder Jason Kipnis.

RHP Zach McCallister and outfielder Nick Weglarz were optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

Chisenhall, 21, has arguably been Cleveland’s top position player this spring, batting .478 (11-for-23) with two home runs and four RBIs in 11 games.

“We wanted to make sure to continue to get him consistent at-bats,” said general manager Chris Antonetti. “We need to give those at-bats to players trying to make this team.

“Lonnie had a very good camp, but he still has some development to do. Those consistent at-bats will allow him to continue on that path.”

Chisenhall’s addition to the major league roster would create a buzz for fans of a team that is not expected to contend in the Central Division, but Antonetti is looking beyond that.

“I think that would be short-sided,” he said. “We can’t just focus on bringing excitement. Our goal is to win championships. We want to make sure Lonnie is well-positioned to succeed on the major league level.”

The Indians caught some heat for delaying the promotion of big time prospect Carlos Santana last year. Many felt the cost-conscious club was trying to limit Santana’s service time for arbitration purposes. But Santana was at Triple-A, a level Chisenhall hasn’t seen after spending the entire season at Double-A Akron last year.

“That’s certainly not the case,” Antonetti said, when asked the arbitration question about Chisenhall. “Everybody to a person thought he needed more development. If he was that far ahead, he would have been at Triple-A last year. We feel he like he needs to have some Triple-A time.”

While Chisenhall may be ready to hit on the big league level, the Indians feel he needs more defensive seasoning. But there is still the strong possibility that Cleveland’s first-round draft choice (29th overall) in 2008 will make his major league debut sometime this season.

“A few things have to happen for that to take place,” Antonetti said. “First, there has to be an opportunity. If the opportunity is there, he needs to make sure he’s done things developmentally to position himself for that opportunity.”

Like Chisenhall, White, 22, and Kipnis, 24, are two of the top prospects in the organization.

White, the Indians’ first-round pick (15th overall) in 2009, made three exhibition appearances (five innings), allowing six runs, 10 hits and three walks, while striking out six.

Kipnis, a second-round selection in 2009, hit .167 (3-for-18) with a triple, homer and two RBIs in nine games.

No worries

Antonetti isn’t concerned that the bone bruise on Jason Donald’s left hand will sideline the third baseman for any significant amount of time.

“There’s no breaks or fractures,” Antonetti said. “It’s just a question of whether it’s a significant bone bruise. It should resolve quickly and he should be back on the field in a couple of days.”

Donald has missed eight games after being hit on the hand by a pitch against the White Sox. He returned to the lineup for two games, missing the next three after an MRI revealed the bone bruise.

If the injury lingers and Donald is not prepared to start the season, the other options at third base include Jayson Nix, Luis Valbuena and Jack Hannahan. The Indians could also turn to Chisenhall, but it isn’t likely.

On the mend

Reliever Joe Smith is still working through a sore abdominal muscle but is expected to return soon.

“He needs a couple more days,” said Acta of the right-hander, who has pitched in five exhibition games (five innings), allowing two runs on three hits and two walks.

Pronk’s progress

Travis Hafner has yet to go deep this spring but he’s swinging a hot bat, hitting . 344 (11-for-32) with three doubles and four RBIs in 10 exhibition games. He had his best game of the spring Monday, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs, in the Indians’ 9-8 win over Oakland at Goodyear Ballpark.

Despite Hafner’s lack of production in recent years, Acta isn’t keeping tabs on Hafner’s exhibition effort.

“I’m not worried about Hafner,” Acta said. “He’s been in the league a lot of years and he’s always hit. I’m not going to come into spring training and judge Travis Hafner.”

Roundin’ third

White and Kipnis were presented with minor league awards prior to Monday’s game. White won the “Bob Feller Award,” given to the top pitcher after going a combined 10-10 with a 2.45 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) for Class A Kinston and Double-A Akron last year. Kipnis won the “Lou Boudreau Award” as the top position player after hitting a combined .307 with 16 homers and 74 RBIs in 133 games for Kinston and Akron. … Today, 4:05 vs. Milwaukee at Goodyear Ballpark. STO (live)/WTAM 1100-AM (delayed 7 p.m.). Mitch Talbot (0-0, 17.55) vs. Chris Narveson (0-0, 1.17).

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.