GOODYEAR, Ariz. — This is the new start Travis Buck was looking for.

“Baseball’s fun again,” said Buck, who is in camp with the Indians, attempting to win a job as an extra outfielder, following an unceremonious ending to his tenure with the Oakland A’s. “I feel like a little kid out there. The last couple years baseball was not fun. I dreaded going to the field, the numbers weren’t there and I was hurt all the time.

“I’ve been through this whole camp and have not had one negative thought. It’s so positive. This is a great place for me to be. It’s definitely showing.”

On a different team and with a new mindset, Buck, whom the Indians signed to a free-agent minor league contract this offseason, has flourished in his new environment.

The 27-year-old Buck has been arguably Cleveland’s top offensive player this spring, batting .435 (20-for-46) with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 16 exhibition games. He leads the Indians in virtually every offensive category, including homers, RBIs, hits, doubles (4), runs (12) and total bases (36). Only Lonnie Chisenhall, the top prospect in the organization, has a higher batting average and slugging percentage.

“Obviously the hard work is paying off,” said Buck, who was not in the lineup Wednesday after hitting two homers Tuesday in Cleveland’s 7-3 win over the Diamondbacks in Scottsdale, Ariz. “I’ve done a lot of work in the cages, trying to perfect my swing. It’s definitely very encouraging to see the results.”

The exhibition performance has thrust Buck to the forefront of his race with Shelley Duncan, Chad Huffman and Ezequiel Carrera for the extra outfielder spot on the 25-man roster. If Buck hasn’t already won the job, it would be more than a surprise.

“I’m not really looking toward that,” Buck said. “I’m just going to go out there and play my game every single day and kind of let the chips fall where they may. That’s the one thing I’ve learned, to never be satisfied.

“I’ve kind of relaxed in the past and have seen things take a completely different turn. There’s no letting up from here on out for the rest of my career.”

After a banner season during his rookie year (2007) with the A’s — .288, seven homers and 34 RBIs in 82 games — things turned sour for Buck in Oakland.

Injuries forced him onto the disabled list in each of the past three seasons, with his production plummeting as well.

He played in a total of 74 games from 2008-09 and just 14 last year, with his batting average climbing no higher than .226 in any of the three seasons.

“It all came together as one,” said Buck, who was released by the A’s after opening the season on the big league roster in each of his four years in Oakland. “Things going on there really screwed with my mind. I learned how powerful the mind was. The nagging injuries I had were caused by so much stress that I was putting on myself and the environment I was in.

“Ever since Day 1 over here, I dropped all the baggage at the door.”

With his down days in Oakland behind him, Buck is focusing on his future. It might include wearing an Indians uniform in the regular season opener, April 1 at Progressive Field.

“This is a new beginning,” Buck said. “It’s a new organization. Seeing how I’m feeling, the play is speaking for itself.”

It’s a safe bet that the Indians are listening.

Back to business

Grady Sizemore will return to the field today, serving as the designated hitter in a minor league game in Goodyear.

Manager Manny Acta said Sizemore, who is expected to play every other day until the end of spring training, will get at least five at-bats in the minor league game.

Looking good

Carlos Santana played first base for the third time Wednesday in the Indians’ 8-7 victory over the Royals at Goodyear Ballpark. He showed no effects from offseason knee surgery, stealing a base and legging out a triple during a 2-for-3 performance.

“The first thing I thought was, ‘nice surgery,’” Acta said. “If that’s not proof that he’s done with his rehab, I don’t know what is.”

Santana, who is expected to bat third in the order, is hitting .308 (12-for-39) with four doubles, a homer and five RBIs in 14 exhibition games.

Roundin’ third

Indians starter Justin Masterson and relievers Chris Perez and Tony Sipp will pitch in minor league game today in Goodyear. … Tonight, 10:05 vs. Giants at Scottsdale Stadium (Scottsdale, Ariz.), WTAM 1100-AM (live). David Huff (1-1, 8.25) vs. Barry Zito (2-0, 2.30 ERA).

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