"What I can tell you is that I believe no one cares more about these players or this organization than Eric Wedge," Shapiro said before Tuesday night's game against the Chicago White Sox. "I feel strongly that he's making every effort to move this in a positive direction."

What if the Indians are still in last place in the American League Central in June or July?

"I'm not thinking about June and July," Shapiro said. "I don't have the luxury. We've got to think about May and tonight and tomorrow night.

"What makes players, coaches and managers successful is taking it one day at a time. Right now, I feel the answers are here with Eric, this coaching staff and these players."

Wedge took responsibility for the Tribe's poor start Monday. Said Shapiro: "Responsibility is shared. Accountability rests with me."

Other observations from Shapiro:

* The Tribe's 12-21 record entering Tuesday's game: "It starts with disappointment. There is a sense of urgency across the board."

* Roster changes: "You've seen us make some changes in the past week. You're going to see us make more changes in the coming weeks. By and large, the bulk of our players are the guys we believe in."

* Possibility of a trade: "I think that's probably unrealistic. The Aaron Laffey move is indicative of the kind of thinking we're going to have to display."

* Bullpen: "If there's any one component of the team that's been the most crippling to the way Eric has managed the team, to the residual relationship with the starting rotation, to the psyche of the team, it's been the pen. You've seen where we've made changes and we'll continue to make changes [in the] pen."

* Left-hander Rafael Perez: "Probably the biggest blow is Rafael Perez and what he's going through. We could have traded him for everyday major-league players in the off-season. Every team felt the same way we did about him during the off-season."

* Rookie Matt LaPorta: "As you watch the next two or three weeks, he's going to start playing more and more."

* Center fielder Grady Sizemore: "He's a great player going through a hard time."

* Tribe's 8-14 April: "What's troubling is that it seems to happen here in April every year. We think we do have some things we need to do differently in spring training. Obviously, we won't say what they are. They are things we need to address so we don't dig this hole every year."

* Is a division title still within reach? "In light of our division, yes. If we had to dig out and win 95 games, we may have dug ourselves a hole that was almost impossible to get out of. We're one good stretch of Baseball from being back into it."

He's back: Utility infielder Jamey Carroll was activated before Tuesday's game, and Josh Barfield was optioned to Class AAA Columbus.

Wedge said he kept rookie Luis Valbuena instead of Barfield because he wanted the left-handed Valbuena and right-handed Carroll to play at second base. Wedge added that Asdrubal Cabrera is going to see more time at shortstop, with Jhonny Peralta playing more at third and Mark DeRosa playing first base and the outfield.

Carroll was on a rehab assignment at Columbus after suffering a broken bone in his left hand from getting hit by a pitch. Carroll is wearing a plastic shield attached to his batting glove in case he gets hit in the hand again.

"It's good to be back," Carroll said.

First base: LaPorta made his big-league debut at first base Tuesday. He played first base at Florida for three years.

"I feel comfortable and confident over there," LaPorta said.

Finally: Chicago closer Bobby Jenks was fined by MLB for throwing behind Ian Kinsler of Texas on Saturday in response to several White Sox getting hit by Rangers pitchers. Jenks admitted to reporters that he threw a purpose pitch. . . . Carlos Quentin was a late scratch from Chicago's lineup because of a bruised left heel.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158