Hello Tribe fans everywhere.

Now that Cliff Lee is out until at least mid-April, it appears that Fausto Carmona will start the season with the Indians. Roberto Hernandez, a veteran of 16 big league seasons, said Monday he caught three of the games on TV last season that Carmona blew during his brief stint as Cleveland's closer.

"I'm a baseball junkie, and I'm always watching games 'til all hours of the night," said Hernandez, 42. "The kid has blazing stuff, that much is clear, and I wish I could have been there to give him a bit of advice."

Hernandez is a member of the Indians this season, and he says he won't be shy about giving tips to younger pitchers. He's respected for his wisdom, and isn't known as a meddler or a troublemaker, which is probably one reason why he's lasted so long in the big leagues.

This much is certain: the Indians need better clubhouse leadership than they had in 2006. I think it's why GM Mark Shapiro went out and signed a guy like Trot Nixon late in the winter, instead of going with a promising youngster like Shin-Soo Choo. We'll see how it works out.

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The player who I was hoping would win the Indians' utility infielder's job is apparently out of the running. Joe Inglett has suffered from pulled leg muscles at various times during his career, and the fact that it's happened again seems to have doomed his chances.

Inglett worked hard since the end of last season, polishing his defensive skills at the instructional league in Arizona, and trying to prove to the Indians that he could fill in at 2nd, 3rd and shortstop. Now his legs have betrayed him once again. It's a shame.

It sounds as if Hector Luna has the most skill of the players who are still in the running for the utility job, but the Indians are leery of his work ethic and training habits. I think if Luna rallies over the next two and a half weeks -- especially on defense -- he can still win this job. But if he acts nonchalantly, he'll be out.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: Former Tribesmen Kevin Kouzmanoff and Russell Branyan are battling it out to become San Diego's starting third baseman.

Today's quiz: Which one of these former Indians players never worked as a Tribe broadcaster: Mudcat Grant, Rocky Colavito, John Farrell or Dave Nelson.

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-- Kevin Cuneo