INDIANS (11-11-2) 7, DIAMONDBACKS (9-20) 3

HITS: Extra outfielder candidate Travis Buck had a big day at the plate with two home runs and three RBIs in a 2-for-3 performance. … Asdrubal Cabrera went 2-for-4 with an RBI and his third homer of the spring. … Three of the candidates for three openings in the bullpen — Jess Todd, Frank Herrmann and Vinnie Pestano — all worked scoreless innings. Pestano struck out two of the three hitters he faced in the ninth.

MISSES: Matt LaPorta went 0-for-2 with a strikeout, as his exhibition average dipped to .174 (8-for-46) in 16 games. … Orlando Cabrera was hitless in four trips to the plate.

BACK OUT THERE: Grady Sizemore made his first appearance in center field. He played three innings and made one catch on a shallow fly ball in the third.

MY CARMONA: Indians ace Fausto Carmona made his sixth start. The right-hander allowed three runs on nine hits and struck out four over six innings. He surrendered a two-run homer to Kelly Johnson in the fifth.

MANAGER’S MOMENT: “I thought Fausto threw the ball well again,” Acta said. “He’s got one more outing and then were going to let him loose on opening day.”

ATTENDANCE: 11,794 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

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

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 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 52/3 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 have to clear waivers before returning to the Indians, who could then trade him, outright release him or designate him for assignment. Lewis would have the option of declining the minor league assignment.

Placing him on waivers makes sense, because 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), and appeared in 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 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 and 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 callup. Todd (0-0, 1.59 ERA, five games) was also a September callup, 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 today.

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

SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Indians’ biggest decision of the spring is expected to be revealed Friday.

Manager Manny Acta said he would announce the winner of the race among right-handers Josh Tomlin and Jeanmar Gomez and left-hander David Huff for the final spot in the rotation.

Acta has already limited the field to two pitchers, but he has not named them. He said once he chooses the final starter, he will also announce the order of the rotation, which will start with ace Fausto Carmona.

The favorite to join Carmona, Justin Masterson, Mitch Talbot and Carlos Carrasco appears to be Tomlin, a 26-year-old right-hander. Tomlin pitched effectively out of Cleveland’s rotation as a rookie during the second half of last season, going 6-4 with a 4.56 ERA in 12 starts.

The soft-spoken Texan has done more quality work in less time on the mound than his counterparts, posting a 1.13 ERA in three exhibition appearances (one start) covering eight innings. Tomlin was the scheduled starter for the rained out game Monday against the Royals.

“It’s nothing new. He’s done here the same thing he did when he came up with us (last year),” Acta said of Tomlin. “He’s throwing strikes, working fast and getting the best of hitters. I think he can be effective up here. He’s got those intangibles.”

Gomez, who also had an effective stint in the second half of his major league debut season last year — 4-5, 4.68 ERA in 11 starts — is 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA in five games (two starts) and 14 innings this spring.

Huff, who was in and out of Cleveland’s rotation last year (2-11, 6.21 ERA in 15 starts) after leading the team with 11 wins as a rookie in 2009, has not pitched well at camp. He is 1-1 with an 8.25 ERA in five games (one start) and 12 innings.

Another test

Grady Sizemore made his exhibition debut Sunday, going 0-for-2 in the Indians’ 5-3 victory over the Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark.

The next step is expected to come today with Sizemore scheduled to play center field for the first time against those same Diamondbacks in Scottsdale.

“He’s feeling pretty good,” Acta said. “It’s a day-to-day thing, but he showed up feeling good today.”

Sizemore is expected to play every other day until the end of the exhibition season. Acta said the three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove award winner would most likely remain at extended spring training before beginning a minor league rehab assignment.

“We don’t have a timetable for that yet,” Acta said.

First option at third?

Though Acta said the decision has not been made yet, it’s pretty clear Jack Hannahan will open the season as the Indians’ starter at third base.

Hannahan has the upper hand defensively over the other two candidates — Luis Valbuena and Jayson Nix — and has been impressive at the plate, batting .368 (14-for-38) with four doubles and four RBIs in 15 games.

“He gives us some sense of comfort that he’s a very good defensive player,” Acta said. “The options that we had weren’t guys that were going to hit in the middle of our lineup and expected to hit 25 (home runs) and drive in 90. I feel pretty good with him out there.”

Wounded Wahoos

Utility infielder candidate Adam Everett underwent an MRI and X-rays on his sprained left thumb Monday.
“We don’t think it’s anything serious,” Acta said. “It’s just to be on the safe side.” Everett sustained the injury while sliding headfirst into second base on an attempted stolen base attempt Saturday.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who left Sunday’s game in the first inning with tightness in his leg, is expected to return to the lineup today.

Reliever Joe Smith played catch Monday and is expected to do the same today, but the right-hander said it is unlikely that he will be ready for the season opener April 1. Smith hasn’t pitched in an exhibition game since March 9.

Roundin’ third

• Today, 4:05 vs. Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Scottsdale). Carmona (3-2, 4.50) vs. Aaron Heilman (0-0, 4.76).
• Monday’s game against the Royals at Surprise Stadium was rained out. There will be no makeup.

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.