CLEVELAND — Despite manager Manny Acta’s claim to the contrary, a handful of Indians players confirmed Monday that there was a players-only meeting held prior to the series opener with Minnesota.

Relief pitcher Chad Durbin said veteran second baseman Orlando Cabrera called the meeting with the Indians in the midst of their roughest stretch of the season, riding a season-long four-game losing streak and losers of nine of their last 12 games coming in.

“It was just talking, no (butt)-chewing, no messages here or there, just go out and play,” said veteran outfielder Austin Kearns.

Acta was informed of the meeting when he met with the media prior to the game, and was supportive of his players taking the initiative. But afterward, Acta told reporters that the meeting never took place.

The Indians media relations department confirmed that players did meet in between advance meetings for pitchers and position players.

It was unknown why Acta disputed the notion. He said he had no plans to meet with his scuffling team, which entered the night with a tenuous 2 1⁄2-game lead in the Central Division standings after leading by seven games on May 21.

“I haven’t felt that we as a coaching staff needed to address anything just yet,” he said. “Losing isn’t a reason to hold a meeting. It’s the way you’re losing, and I haven’t felt the need to address that.”

Acta said it was too early to start worrying over his club’s recent slide.

“We’ve got four months of baseball to play,” Acta said. “Get over here and try to win today, that’s been our approach. We’ve got way too many baseball games to play before we start looking ahead.

“Do you think I’m sitting here thinking that I have four months to protect a 21⁄2-game lead? That’s too much stress. I would have to have open-heart surgery. I just want my kids to continue to have fun and play the game right.”

When approached by reporters prior to the game, Cabrera played dumb and said he got players together to thank them for baby shower gifts.

Third time

Grady Sizemore was the latest to replace a struggling Shin-Soo Choo at the No. 3 spot in the batting order. Asdrubal Cabrera hit third in place of Choo on Sunday.

Since starting slowly off the disabled list, Sizemore has begun to pick up steam, entering Monday 7-for-19 with five RBIs over his last five games.

“He’s been swinging the bat better since Toronto (May 30-June 1),” Acta said of Sizemore. “We knew it was going to take some at-bats to get him going off the DL.”

Choo, who has slumped for the majority of the season, hit fifth Monday after hitting sixth the night before. Sizemore batted third for the first time since 2009.

Nick’s knack

Rehabbing first baseman Nick Johnson (wrist surgery) took batting practice and groundballs at Progressive Field prior to Monday’s game.

The Indians wanted to get a personal look at Johnson, who will continue to rehab in minor league home games at Triple-A Columbus and Double-A Akron.

“I’m not going to speculate on that,” said Acta, when asked when Johnson would be ready and about his role with the Indians. “He’s got a lot of at-bats in the minor leagues before we make a decision.”

Minor detail

• Left fielder Jerad Head was the only player with a multihit game for Columbus on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with his seventh homer and four RBIs in an 11-5 loss to Louisville. Head, acquired as a non-drafted free agent in 2005, entered Monday batting .309 with 26 RBIs in 46 games.

Roundin’ third

• Third baseman Jack Hannahan returned to the lineup after missing three games with a sore left hamstring. Acta said he anticipated reliever Vinnie Pestano being available Monday after the right-hander left Saturday’s game with lower back stiffness before throwing a pitch.
• Catcher Carlos Santana entered Monday hitting safely in eight of his last 10 games, while batting .355 (11-for-31) with four doubles and three RBIs over the span.
• Keystone’s state runner-up softball team was in attendance as guests of the Indians.

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.