SURPRISE, Ariz. — It appears the Indians have run out of patience with Jensen Lewis.

A number of media outlets reported Monday that Cleveland had placed the struggling right-handed reliever on waivers. And though Indians officials did not confirm the reports, it is almost certain that Lewis will not open the season on the big league roster.

It’s a surprising turn of events for the 26-year-old Lewis to say the least.

He arrived at training camp with a new contract (One year, $650,000) after avoiding arbitration in the offseason and was considered a strong favorite — if not a lock — to win one of the final two spots in the Cleveland bullpen.

But a miserable exhibition performance from Lewis (14.29 ERA in 5 2/3 innings), who hasn’t been able to duplicate a stellar 2007 season, has apparently left him without a big league job.

“Nobody’s going to get blindsided,” manager Manny Acta said. “I think everybody knew coming into camp what our expectations were. It’s never been cut and dry with those last couple spots.”

Lewis is out of minor league options and would first have to clear waivers before returning to the Indians, who could trade him, outright release him or designate him for assignment. Lewis would have the option of declining the minor league assignment.

If he was placed on waivers, it makes sense, since the Indians could not simply demote him to the minors, if they decided he was not going to open the season in the big league bullpen.

“Options are always a tough thing to deal with,” Acta said. “But I think we’re going to leave Goodyear with our best 25 guys. That’s the plan.”

Lewis, a third-round draft pick in 2005, broke onto the major league scene during the second half of the Indians’ Central Division championship season in ’07. He was an effective late-inning reliever, posting a 2.15 ERA in 26 games (29 1/3 innings) that year, and appeared in both the Division Series (two games) and American League Championship Series (five games).

But his worth has plummeted since, with Lewis spending time in the minor leagues in each of the past three seasons. He was 4-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 37 games (36 1/3 innings) last year.

Lewis’ departure and the unavailability of right-hander Joe Smith, who is nursing a strained abdominal muscle and said Monday that he was unlikely to be ready for the season opener, means there are now three openings in the bullpen.

The candidates to join closer Chris Perez, right-hander Chad Durbin and left-handers Rafael Perez and Tony Sipp include right-handers Justin Germano, Frank Herrmann, Doug Mathis, Vinnie Pestano and Jess Todd.

Germano and Mathis are not on the 40-man roster, but Acta said that would not factor in the decision.

Germano, 28, appeared in 23 games (35 1/3 innings) for Cleveland last year — 0-3, 3.31 ERA — and has quietly produced an impressive exhibition performance. He hasn’t allowed a run in six games (seven innings) and fits the bill as a long reliever with the majority of his professional career spent as a starter.

“That’s the way he goes about his business,” Acta said. “He just lays in the weeds, throws strikes and gets people out. He’s proven to be a valuable multiple innings guy, because he’s started in the past. He has that advantage over the other guys.”

Of the other four candidates, only Mathis (2-1, 3.68 ERA in seven exhibition games) did not spend time in the Indians’ bullpen last season.

Herrmann (2.35 ERA, seven games) logged the most innings (44 2/3), appearing in 40 games, while going 0-1 with a 4.03 ERA. Pestano (0-1, 1.59 ERA, six games) spent the majority of last year as Triple-A Columbus‘ closer, posting a 3.60 ERA and earning his first big league save in five games as a September call up. Todd (0-0, 1.59 ERA, five games) was also a September call up, appearing in five games and posting a 7.50 ERA.

Whoever wins the final job in the bullpen likely won’t be in Cleveland long, with Smith expected to be ready to claim his spot during the first month of the regular season.

As of Monday, Lewis was still at big league training camp. More information on his status is expected to come today.

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