GOODYEAR, Ariz. — When you’ve played the game as long as Orlando Cabrera, sometimes you need a little extra push to get you going for another 162-game season.

“I always look for something to motivate me, a challenge,” said Cabrera, who will enter his 15th season in the majors as the Indians’ new second baseman after a lengthy tenure as a top-flight shortstop. “This year, playing second base is a great challenge. There’s a lot of things to accomplish at a different position. You get something every year that motivates you.

“I feel comfortable, confident, and I’m really excited for this year.”

After spending pretty much his entire career as a shortstop, a darn good one at that, with two Gold Gloves (2001 with the Expos and 2007 with the Angels) to prove it, Cabrera signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Indians, knowing the position was occupied by his namesake, Asdrubal Cabrera.

The transition to second base began smoothly this spring, but Orlando Cabrera’s sore shoulder has slowed the process a bit. Still, the 36-year-old Cartagena, Columbia native isn’t anticipating any problems.

“It’s coming along a little bit too slow, but I think I’ll be 100 percent when we break camp,” said Orlando Cabrera, who entered Friday batting .348 (8-for-23) with two doubles, a triple and three RBIs in nine exhibition games. “(Turning double plays from second) is nothing out of the ordinary. I feel like I have been playing second base my whole career. My arm will get better, the turns will get better.”

The Indians are counting on nothing less from Cabrera, a career .274 hitter with seven different big league clubs, who is expected to provide veteran leadership on a youth-laden roster.

Oh, and above-average defense at a position Cabrera has played just 33 times on the big league level, not once since the 2000 season.

No problem, says Cleveland manager Manny Acta, who was Montreal’s third base/infield coach during Cabrera’s last three seasons with the Expos from 2002-04.

“Orlando’s not going to have any issue,” Acta said. “He’s so fundamentally sound that I don’t think he’s going to be affected by the move. This guy is one of the most fundamentally sound infielders that I’ve ever been around. He’s also one of the best baserunners that I have seen in the last 10 years.”

Cabrera is ready to provide it all for the Indians, especially after seeing how the younger players in the clubhouse have taken to him.

“The thing that has impressed me the most is how much respect all these guys have for me,” he said. “That’s something you don’t find in a lot of places.”

It’s all part of a unique season for Cabrera, who is with a new team in a new city and at a new position.

Roundin’ third

Indians minor leaguers opened their spring training schedule Friday. … Today, 4:05 vs. Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium (Tempe, Ariz.), WTAM 1100-AM (live). Justin Masterson (0-1, 6.00) vs. Scott Kazmir (0-1, 3.38).

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

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Grady Sizemore is a few final steps away from making his exhibition debut.

Sizemore

Sizemore, who is working his way back from microfracture surgery on his left knee, is scheduled to run the bases for the third time today in Goodyear. He will attempt to slide for the first time, and if all goes well, will play Sunday.

“We’re going to hold a press conference the day he plays,” joked manager Manny Acta of Sizemore’s much-anticipated debut.

There was speculation that Sizemore would make his first appearance in a minor league game, but Acta said it would come on the big league level against the Diamondbacks at Goodyear. The manager said Sizemore would not play the field, serving as the designated hitter for two at-bats.

The three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove award winner is still considered a long shot to play in the regular season opener, April 1, against the White Sox at Progressive Field.

On the mend

A strained abdominal muscle continues to sideline reliever Joe Smith, who hasn’t pitched since March 9.

“He’s not ready yet, but he’ll be OK,” Acta said. “He’s a situational guy. He doesn’t need many innings. He’ll get a few outings before spring training is over if he doesn’t have any setbacks.”

Acta expects Smith to appear in two or three exhibition games before camp is complete, enough to prepare the right-hander for the regular season, according to the manager. He has pitched in five games thus far, allowing two runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batter.

Rotation roundup

Acta said the order of his spring training rotation wouldn’t necessarily be the same once the regular season begins.

As of now, Fausto Carmona is the No. 1 starter, followed by right-hander Justin Masterson, right-hander Mitch Talbot, right-hander Carlos Carrasco and one of three candidates for the final spot, right-hander Josh Tomlin, right-hander Jeanmar Gomez and left-hander David Huff.

Carmona’s spot is the only one locked down, with the right-hander already named as Cleveland opening day starter.

Acta said he would set his rotation 10 days prior to the end of training camp, with the fourth and fifth starters remaining in Arizona to take their turns in quality weather before joining the Indians in Cleveland for their outings against the Red Sox, April 5-6.

Back at first

Carlos Santana made his second exhibition appearance at first base in the Indians’ 5-1 loss to the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on Thursday. He didn’t have a ball hit to him over six innings.

Santana, who is expected to see sporadic time at first base during the regular season, will play there at least one more time before the exhibition season is complete.

Reds (11-8-1) 5, Indians (7-9-2) 1

Hits

• Indians starter Fausto Carmona looked in midseason form in his fifth exhibition start. The right-hander allowed two runs on six hits, while striking out five over six innings.
• Travis Hafner reached base three times in four trips to the plate. He had a single and walked twice.
• Shin-Soo Choo reached base in two of his three trips to the plate with a single and a walk. He also stole a base.
• Lou Marson drove in his team’s only run in his only at-bat with a base hit off Reds flamethrower Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning.

Misses

• Austin Kearns went 0-3 with two strikeouts.
• Minor leaguer Joe Martinez allowed two runs on three hits in just an inning of work.

Notes

• Manager’s moment: “It was another good outing for Fausto,” Acta said. “I think he has proven over the last two (outings) that he’s just about ready to go. He went six innings easy.”
• Going green: The Reds and Indians played with green bases in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Cincinnati wore green hats, while Cleveland stuck with its traditional colors.
• Attendance: 5,181 at Goodyear Ballpark

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — OK, now it’s time to start worrying. Jason Donald is.

Donald, the frontrunner to open the season as the Indians’ starting third baseman   when camp began, was scheduled to take batting practice Thursday with hopes of returning to the lineup today.

He did not take BP, playing six innings in the field during a minor league game in Goodyear, and will not play today, with the bone bruise in his left hand still prohibiting him from swinging a bat.

“We’re not where we need to be right now,” said a disappointed Donald, who has missed nine exhibition games with the injury that he sustained when he was hit by a pitch March 5. “We’re going to wait a couple days and hopefully it will feel better.”

It felt better enough for Donald to return to the lineup for a two-game stint March 10-11, but he was scratched the following day and underwent an MRI that revealed the bone bruise. He has been sidelined since, anxiously awaiting his return to the batter’s box.

“It’s like the Cubs fan, ‘wait ’til next year,” said Donald, who has played in six exhibition games, batting .308 (4-for-13) with a double. “I’m waiting until the next day. You guys will hear me cheer when I finally get to hit.”

With less than two weeks left in camp and Donald not looking close to playing any time soon, the Indians have no other choice but to examine their other options, which include Luis Valbuena, Jayson Nix, Jack Hannahan and Adam Everett.

Lonnie Chisenhall, Cleveland’s top prospect and one of the team’s most productive players this spring — .478 (11-for-23) with two homers and four RBIs in  11 games — before being re-assigned to minor league camp, is also a long shot to replace Donald.

Both Hannahan and Everett, who are vying for the utility infield spot on the opening day roster, have enjoyed the most productive spring training performances among the four on the big league level thus far.

The 34-year-old Everett, who spent the last two years with the Tigers before signing a minor league contract with Cleveland this offseason, is batting .357 (10-for-28) with one RBI in 14 games. He has never played third base in the majors but played there Thursday in the Indians’ 5-1 loss to the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.

Hannahan, 31, is a two-year veteran that spent all of last season in the minor leagues with Seattle, and like Everett, is under a minor league contract with Cleveland.

The defensive-minded infielder has spent the majority of his career at third base, where he has been arguably the Indians’ best fielder at the position this spring. The career .224 hitter has also handled the bat well, hitting .387 (12-for-31) with three doubles and four RBIs in 13 exhibition games.

Valbuena, who struggled mightily in the field (10 errors) and at the plate (.193) in 91 games for Cleveland last year, is batting .233 (7-for-30) with three homers and seven RBIs in 13 exhibition games.

Nix, who spent the majority of his time last year with the Indians at third base, was a liability in the field — 11 errors in 78 games — and is hitting a minuscule .105 (2-for-19) with a homer and two RBIs in seven exhibition games.

With Everett inexperienced at the position, the ace in the hole could be Hannahan.

“We feel very good about him defensively,” Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said of Hannahan. “He gives you a consistent at-bat. He’s had a good camp on both sides of the ball.”

And if Donald isn’t ready, he could be the Indians’ opening day third baseman.

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

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Grady Sizemore is a few final steps away from making his exhibition debut.

Sizemore, who is working his way back from microfracture surgery on his left knee, is scheduled to run the bases for the third time today in Goodyear. He will attempt to slide for the first time, and if all goes well, will play Sunday.

“We’re going to hold a press conference the day he plays,” joked manager Manny Acta of Sizemore’s much-anticipated debut.

There was speculation that Sizemore would make his first appearance in a minor league game, but Acta said it would come on the big league level against the Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark. The manager said that Sizemore would not play in the field, serving as the designated hitter for two at-bats.

The three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove award winner is still considered a long shot to play in the regular season opener, April 1, against the White Sox at Progressive Field.

On the mend

A strained abdominal muscle continues to sideline reliever Joe Smith, who hasn’t pitched since March 9.

“He’s not ready yet, but he’ll be OK,” Acta said. “He’s a situational guy. He doesn’t need many innings. He’ll get a few outings before spring training is over if he doesn’t have any setbacks.”

Acta expects Smith to appear in two or three exhibition games before camp is complete, enough to prepare the right-hander for the regular season, according to the manager. He has pitched in five games thus far, allowing two runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batter.

Rotation roundup

Acta said the order of his spring training rotation wouldn’t necessarily be the same once the regular season begins.

As of now, Fausto Carmona is the No. 1 starter, followed by right-hander Justin Masterson, right-hander Mitch Talbot, right-hander Carlos Carrasco and one of three candidates for the final spot, right-hander Josh Tomlin, right-hander Jeanmar Gomez and left-hander David Huff.

Carmona’s spot is the only one locked down, with the right-hander already named as Cleveland opening day starter.

Acta said he would set his rotation 10 days prior to the end of training camp, with the fourth and fifth starters remaining in Arizona to take their turns in quality weather before joining the Indians in Cleveland for their outings against the Red Sox, April 5-6.

Back at first

Carlos Santana made his second exhibition appearance at first base in the Indians’ 5-1 loss to the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on Thursday. He didn’t have a ball hit to him over six innings.

Santana, who is expected to see sporadic time at first base during the regular season, will play there at least one more time before the exhibition season is complete.

“I think Carlos is going to be fine there,” Acta said. “It’s just going to be the little things, like cut-offs and positioning. I’m not anticipating him struggling with ground balls and plays over there.”

Roundin’ third

Kenny Lofton is back for his second stint as a guest instructor. He will be in camp through Sunday. … The Indians break into split squads for the second time this spring today, taking on the Royals (4:05 p.m.) at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz., and the Rangers (10:05 p.m.) in Goodyear. … Today, 4:05 vs. Royals at Surprise Stadium (no television or radio). Jeanmar Gomez (0-1, 6.30) vs. Kyle Davies (1-1, 7.00). Tonight, 10:05 vs. Rangers at Goodyear Ballpark. Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 5.63) vs. Matt Harrison (2-0, 1.00).

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