GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Jensen Lewis looked like he was on the fast track to success when he came out of nowhere to fill a pivotal role in the Indians’ bullpen in 2007, then followed that up with another top-shelf season the next year.

But after scuffling through a disappointing performance for him and his team last year, Lewis, who finished 2008 as Cleveland’s closer, is fighting to stay in the big leagues.

There are five relievers in camp this year that are guaranteed spots on the 25-man roster — and Lewis isn’t one of them.

“With the new (coaching) staff, I think everybody has to prove themselves all over a bit,” said Lewis, who did not appear in the Indians’ 7-1 victory over the Giants at Goodyear Ballpark on Tuesday. “I think I’ve proved that I can have success on this level in a lot of different roles.

“I know what I’m capable of. I just need to go out and do it. If I do that, everything will take care of itself. I have all the confidence in the world that I’m going to be (on the roster) on opening day.”

With Kerry Wood, Chris Perez, Rafael Perez, Joe Smith and Tony Sipp already securing spots among the relief corps, Lewis is vying for one of the last two openings.

His competition includes Jamey Wright, Saul Rivera, Hector Ambriz and either Aaron Laffey or Mitch Talbot, should one of them not make the starting rotation. Jeremy Sowers could also be a bullpen candidate in the future, but is expected to start the year on the disabled list after beginning the exhibition season behind the rest of the pitching staff with left shoulder soreness.

Lewis has done his best to stay among the leaders in the race this spring, allowing just a run on four hits and a walk, while striking out two in three appearances (four innings).

“He’s thrown the ball good so far this camp,” said Cleveland manager Manny Acta, who will ultimately decide Lewis’ fate. “I’m not worried about him.”

The same couldn’t be said for Lewis last year. There was plenty of concern over the 25-year-old right-hander, who began the season as key member of the Indians’ bullpen, but was demoted to Triple-A Columbus for a little over a month after struggling early — 5.08 ERA over his first 28 games on the big-league level.

“It was just a weird year,” said Lewis, a Cincinnati native who lived in Medina for a couple years as a youngster and still has relatives in the city. “It didn’t start out the way I wanted. I just don’t think I was myself. It was a tough year, but you’re going to have those.

“If last year was the worst year I’m going to have, I’m going to be playing this game for a long time.”

Lewis finished 2009 with a 2-4 record and 4.61 ERA in 47 games (661/3 innings) for the Indians, serving up 13 home runs and walking 29 batters. He is determined not to repeat the performance in 2010.

“I came into the offseason a month earlier and worked on my mechanics,” Lewis said. “I think I’ve come into camp more prepared than I ever have. The ball’s coming out well and my secondary stuff is a lot more advanced than it was at this point last year.

“Priority No. 1 was getting the fastball command back to where it was in 2007, and I think it’s there. Everything they asked, I think I’ve done so far.”

Now it’s up to Acta to reward him with a job in the majors.

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