GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Josh Tomlin isn’t putting much stock in his quality spring training performance thus far.

The numbers say Tomlin (0-0, 1.13 ERA in three exhibition appearances) is leading his race with Jeanmar Gomez (0-1, 6.31, four games) and David Huff (1-0, 7.45 ERA, four games) for the final spot in the Indians’ rotation.

But the 26-year-old Whitehouse, Texas, native isn’t listening.

“I don’t look at box scores. I don’t look at ERAs or walks or strikeouts, none of that stuff,” said Tomlin, a 19th-round draft pick of Cleveland’s in 2006. “I really don’t think any of that stuff has anything to do with that decision anyway. I feel like I just gotta go out there and work on things and get ready for the season. They’ll make that decision when the time comes.

“I feel good. The ball feels good coming out of my hand right now. It’s probably going a little bit better than I expected. Hopefully I can continue that.”

All three of the candidates have big league experience on their side.

Huff, 26, has been in and out of Cleveland’s rotation the past two years, making 38 starts from 2009-10, but not performing well enough to have already secured a spot for this season.

Both Tomlin and Gomez were ushered up from Triple-A Columbus late last year and performed admirably in their initial brush with major league hitters.

But only Tomlin has four pitches in his arsenal — two- and four-seam fastballs, cutter and curveball — and he has displayed more of a knack at emerging from jams on the mound than his two counterparts.

“It’s because of his repertoire,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “He’s got four pitches that he has command of. When your repertoire isn’t as good as his, (hitters) can just zero in on one or two pitches.

“For him to be successful up here, he has to use all his pitches and not fall in love with any of them.”

Tomlin, a soft-spoken southern man, remains humble when discussing his well-rounded stuff.

“I think all (three) of us have good pitches,” he said.

“Everybody locates. Everybody is a big league pitcher. Everybody knows how to get guys out on this level.
“I don’t think anybody has a leg up right now.”

Tomlin’s brief stint in Cleveland last year was mostly positive. He went 6-4 with a 4.56 ERA in 12 starts, which included a sparkling big league debut in which Tomlin allowed just a run on three hits over seven innings in a 4-1 victory over the vaunted New York Yankees at Progressive Field.

Tomlin allowed only three baserunners in the outing, just the second Cleveland pitcher to accomplish as much in at least seven innings in his major league debut. Scott Lewis did it in 2008.

“I was happy to get that opportunity, get up there and get that experience,” Tomlin said of his big league baptism. “Hopefully that builds off this year, whether that’s making the team or starting out at Triple-A. Just knowing exactly the kind of approach guys take against you and how guys take swings off you. I think that was a good experience all the way around.”

There could be much more major league experience awaiting Tomlin should he win the job and open the season as the Indians’ No 5 starter.

“I’ve always had the mentality that if I take care of business, then things will come to me regardless,” Tomlin said. “I just try and control what I can control and that’s it.”

Next up

Today, 4:05 vs. Reds at Goodyear Ballpark (no television or radio).

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