GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians have had a number of close calls on the injury front this spring, another one arriving Sunday against the Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera left Cleveland’s 5-3 victory in the first inning after experiencing tightness in his right leg while running the bases following his base hit. He gingerly jogged off the field from third base and was replaced by Luis Valbuena.

“He’s fine. He just cramped up in one of his legs,” manager Manny Acta said. “We don’t want to take any chances.”

More photos below.

Cabrera’s injury came two days after right fielder Shin-Soo Choo was hit on the batting helmet by a pitch from Texas starter Matt Harrison but remained in the game, and a day after utility infielder candidate Adam Everett jammed his thumb on a stolen base attempt against the Angels in Tempe.

Acta said Cabrera would not play today, but doesn’t consider the injury to be a worrisome one.

“We’re going to give him a day and make sure there’s no trouble,” Acta said. “There’s no rush. He played winter ball and he’s played well this spring. We don’t have to find out about him.”

Testing, testing

Everett said he would undergo an MRI on his sprained left thumb today.

“It’s definitely not a broken bone or anything like that,” Everett said. “Hopefully it’s just a sprain and I can get back out there as soon as possible.”

The eight-year veteran sustained the injury while sliding headfirst into the leg of Angels shortstop Erick Aybar, who was attempting to block Everett from the base.

Everett did not appreciate Aybar’s maneuver.

“He blocked the base on me on a stolen base in spring training,” Everett said. “You don’t see that too often. It was a little disappointing that it was done that way.”

Tough luck

Nick Weglarz’s season might be over before it begins.

Weglarz, who was expected to start in the outfield for Triple-A Columbus, was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee, sustaining the injury while running the bases in a minor league intrasquad game Thursday.

The Canadian-born Weglarz, a third-round draft pick in 2005, has returned to Cleveland and will likely undergo surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

Roster reduction

The Indians made another round of cuts Saturday, optioning RHP Josh Judy (1-1, 7.36, five games) to Columbus, while reassigning RHP Johan Pino (0-0, 5.40, two games) and Joe Martinez (0-0, 10.80, five games) to minor league camp.

None of the three pitchers was a candidate to make Cleveland’s opening day roster.

Charles in charge

The Diamondbacks’ new pitching coach is none other than Charles Nagy, and he’s the same unassuming guy who flew under the radar during his playing days with the Indians (1990-2002).

Nagy was a three-time All-Star and finished in the top 10 in American League Cy Young voting three times, winning at least 15 games six times in 13 seasons in Cleveland. He was a staple in the rotation for five straight Central Division championships (1995-99) and part of two AL titles (’95 and ’97) on a team powered by offense.

“I don’t think people realized he was as good as he was,” former Cleveland pitching coach Mark Wiley told the Arizona Republic. “There was a lot of focus on our offense in Cleveland, and guys didn’t realize what some of our starting pitchers did, particularly Charlie.”

Nagy, who after retiring in 2003 served two stints in the Indians organization, first as a special assistant and last year as Columbus’ pitching coach, didn’t mind.

“I kind of liked that,” he said. “It was kind of nice. That’s the way our team was built, and I understood that. I understood my role.”

Another former Indian, Brett Butler (1984-87), is also in the Arizona organization as the manager for Triple-A Reno.

Roundin’ third

Today, 4:05 vs. Royals at Surprise Stadium; no television or radio. Josh Tomlin (0-0, 1.13) vs. Luke Hochevar (1-0, 4.15).

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

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians have had a number of close calls on the injury front this spring, another one arriving Sunday against the Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera left Cleveland’s 5-3 victory in the first inning after experiencing tightness in his right leg while running the bases, following his base hit. He gingerly jogged off the field from third base and was replaced by Luis Valbuena.

“He’s fine. He just cramped up in one of his legs,” manager Manny Acta said. “We don’t want to take any chances.”

Cabrera’s injury came two days after right fielder Shin-Soo Choo was hit on the batting helmet by a pitch from Texas starter Matt Harrison but remained in the game, and a day after utility infielder candidate Adam Everett jammed his thumb on a stolen base attempt against the Angels in Tempe, Ariz.

Acta said Cabrera would not play today, but doesn’t consider the injury to be a worrisome one.

“We’re going to give him a day and make sure there’s no trouble,” Acta said. “There’s no rush. He played winter ball and he’s played well this spring. We don’t have to find out about him.”

Testing, testing

Everett said he would undergo an MRI on his sprained left thumb today.

“It’s definitely not a broken bone or anything like that,” Everett said. “Hopefully it’s just a sprain and I can get back out there as soon as possible.”

The eight-year veteran sustained the injury while sliding head-first into the leg of Angels shortstop Erick Aybar, who was attempting to block Everett from the base.

Everett did not appreciate Aybar’s maneuver.

“He blocked the base on me on a stolen base in spring training,” Everett said. “You don’t see that too often. It was a little disappointing that it was done that way.”

Tough luck

Nick Weglarz’s season might be over before it begins.

Weglarz, who was expected to start in the outfield for Triple-A Columbus, was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee, sustaining the injury while running the bases in a minor league intrasquad game Thursday.

The Canadian-born Weglarz, a third-round draft pick in 2005, has returned to Cleveland and will likely undergo surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

Roster reduction

The Indians made another round of cuts Saturday, optioning RHP Josh Judy (1-1, 7.36, five games) to Columbus, while re-assigning RHP Johan Pino (0-0, 5.40, two games) and Joe Martinez (0-0, 10.80, five games) to minor league camp.

None of the three pitchers were candidates to make Cleveland’s opening day roster.

Charles in charge

The Diamondbacks’ new pitching coach is none other than Charles Nagy, and he’s the same unassuming guy that flew under the radar during his playing days with the Indians (1990-2002).

Nagy was a three-time All-Star and finished in the top 10 in American League Cy Young voting three times, winning at least 15 games six times in 13 seasons in Cleveland. He was a staple in the rotation for five straight Central Division championships (1995-99) and part of two AL titles (’95 and ’97) on a team powered by offense.

“I don’t think people realized he was as good as he was,” former Cleveland pitching coach Mark Wiley told the Arizona Republic. “There was a lot of focus on our offense in Cleveland, and guys didn’t realize what some of our starting pitchers did, particularly Charlie.”

Nagy, who after retiring in 2003 served two stints in the Indians organization, first as a special assistant, and last year as Columbus’ pitching coach, didn’t mind.

“I kind of liked that,” he said. “It was kind of nice. That’s the way our team was built, and I understood that. I understood my role.”

Another former Indian, Brett Butler (1984-87), is also in the Arizona organization as the manager for Triple-A Reno.

Roundin’ third

Today, 4:05 vs. Royals at Surprise Stadium (Surprise, Ariz.), no television or radio. Josh Tomlin (0-0, 1.13) vs. Luke Hochevar (1-0, 4.15).

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

Chris Assenheimer

The Chronicle-Telegram

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Grady Sizemore grounded out to second base in the first inning Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark.

Nothing special, only this time it was.

The routine grounder to second was the first official swing of the bat for Sizemore, who made his exhibition debut in the Indians’ 5-3 victory over Arizona.

“It felt good just to get back on the field,” said Sizemore, who is attempting to return from microfracture surgery on his left knee. “I wasn’t really nervous, just anxious to get back out there. It’s been a long time.”

Yes, it has.

The last time Sizemore was on the field was May 16 of last year, three days before going on the disabled list after re-aggravating the knee injury he sustained while sliding into second base during an exhibition game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers on April 1. Surgery followed June 4.

All of it came on the heels of an injury-plagued 2009 season that ended prematurely, thanks to an elbow ailment that bothered him for the majority of the year.

“Injuries are part of baseball,” Sizemore said, when asked about his back-to-back seasons of unfortunate health events. “Right now, I’m on the tail end of a long rehab process. That’s all I’m focusing on right now.”

The exhibition debut was the first game action since Sizemore arrived at camp, the three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove award winner limited to agility drills, running and taking batting practice for the majority of his time in Goodyear.

Serving as the designated hitter, Sizemore batted twice, following up his ground out with a lazy fly ball out to center field.

“I would have liked to have stayed out there and get a couple more at-bats to feel like I was part of the game,” Sizemore said. “It was over a little quicker than I would have liked.

“I felt fine, swinging and running, everything felt fine. It was a good feeling to be out there and to be part of the team again.”

“There’s not much to report, but it was good to see him effortless,” manager Manny Acta said of Sizemore’s debut. “If you didn’t know what he had been through, you wouldn’t have noticed.

“It’s a start.”

Another chapter in Sizemore’s comeback story is expected to come Tuesday, when he is scheduled to play center field for the first time. He said he just began shagging fly balls in the outfield this week.

“That will be the next test, getting out there and playing defense,” Sizemore said.

With a number of family and friends in the crowd for his long-awaited exhibition debut, Sizemore received a rousing ovation when he came to the plate for the first time.

“It was definitely nice,” Sizemore said of the crowd reaction. “The fans have been great. The people out here have been very supportive.”

Sizemore said the majority of well-wishers have been urging him to make it back for real in the center field spot he has occupied in Cleveland since 2005.

That’s going to have to wait awhile.

Sizemore has already been ruled out of the season opener April 1 against the White Sox at Progressive Field, and he is expected to remain at extended spring training for a spell before beginning a minor league rehab assignment.

After consecutive injury-filled seasons, Sizemore is receptive to the cautious plan the Indians and their medical staff has laid out.

“I’m going to be very patient with this,” he said. “I understand the process. It’s not frustrating for me at all.”

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

ROYALS (14-6-1) 6, INDIANS (7-11-2) 5

HITS: Third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall left minor league camp to help the split-squad Indians and continued his impressive big league exhibition performance. Cleveland’s top prospect reached base in three of his four trips to the plate with two singles and a walk. He scored two runs and drove in one. … Right fielder Travis Buck raised his exhibition average to .385 (15-for-39) in 13 games with a 2-for-4 effort that included a double. … Bullpen candidate Vinnie Pestano pitched a scoreless eighth inning to lower his ERA to 1.59 in six appearances.

MISSES: It was a tough day for two of the three candidates for the final spot in the rotation, right-hander Jeanmar Gomez and David Huff. Gomez (6.43 ERA) started and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over four innings, while Huff (8.25 ERA) surrendered three runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings. … Utility infielder candidate Adam Everett went 0-2 with two strikeouts.

ATTENDANCE: 4,584 at Surprise Stadium (Surprise, Ariz.)