GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Nick Johnson has a new locker in the Indians’ spring training clubhouse. A spot on the big league roster is still in question.

Johnson, who signed a one-year minor league contract ($750,000) with the Indians on March 7, arrived at camp for the first time Friday. He has been working out for five months in Arizona, but still isn’t close to returning to the field after undergoing his fourth surgery on a problematic right wrist.

“There’s no timetable really,” said Johnson, who was limited to 24 games with the Yankees in 2010. “When it feels good, start swinging.”

“Hopefully, at some point in April, he’ll be able to start game activities,” said general manager Chris Antonetti.

Johnson’s salary is guaranteed this year and his contract with Cleveland includes an automatic option for 2012 should he make the Indians roster at any point this season. He is expected to remain in Goodyear for extended spring training and would most likely need to prove himself at Triple-A Columbus before joining the Indians.

His latest surgery involved removing a painful ligament from his wrist. He had the stitches taken out Friday.

“I should be good to go,” said Johnson, who owns a career .270 batting average and .401 on-base percentage in 10 big league seasons. “I’m just looking forward to being where I can work and prepare and swing without pain.”

Johnson has been reunited with manager Manny Acta, whom he played for in Washington from 2008-09.

“I’m happy to be here,” he said. “I know it’s going to take some time to feel better. I just want to get back as soon as possible.”

Signing day

The Indians agreed to terms on one-year contracts with their remaining three unsigned players — RHP Jeanmar Gomez, RHP Josh Tomlin and catcher Carlos Santana.

All the members of Cleveland’s 40-man roster are under contract for the 2011 season.

Relocation projects

The Indians made their first round of cuts, trimming eight players off their spring training roster.

Cleveland optioned pitchers Corey Kluber and Hector Rondon and infielder Jared Goedert to Triple-A Columbus, while optioning pitchers Kelvin De La Cruz and Nick Hagadone to Double-A Akron.

Pitchers Drew Pomeranz and Bryce Stowell and catcher Chun Chen were re-assigned to minor league camp.

Pomeranz, the Indians’ first-round draft choice (fifth overall) last year, was impressive in two exhibition outings. He didn’t allow a run or hit and struck out five in three innings.

Swing away

Grady Sizemore took another step to returning to the field, participating in live batting practice against right-hander Anthony Reyes.

“He’s been looking really good swinging the bat,” Acta said. “Anthony was obviously throwing some good stuff up there. It’s just his running game that we’re waiting on. He’s looked so good swinging the bat.”

Sizemore is expected to begin running the bases Sunday, but it still appears unlikely that he will be ready to open the season with the Indians.

“There’s nothing really new on Grady,” Antonetti said. “I think the timetable remains the same. We’re optimistic that he’ll get into games at some point before camp ends and we’ll see how he progresses from there.”

BP Banter

After watching Matt LaPorta and his new haircut launch four consecutive homers during batting practice, Acta quipped, “You might be the other way around about Samson.”

LaPorta is batting just .138 (4-for-29) with one homer in 10 games, but he is one off the team lead with six RBIs.

Roundin’ third

The Indians are without a win in their last seven exhibition games, losing five and tying twice. … Indians Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry was in attendance, signing autographs for fans prior to the game. … Today, 4:05 vs. Angels at Goodyear Ballpark (STO, WTAM 1100-AM). Fausto Carmona (2-1, 7.88 ERA) vs. RHP Dan Haren (0-1, 5.40).

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

CUBS (5-8) 2, INDIANS (4-8-1) 1

HITS: Indians pitchers didn’t allow a baserunner until Jeanmar Gomez walked Koyie Hill with one out in the sixth inning. Gomez lost the no-hitter when the following batter, pitcher Andrew Cashner, singled off him. … Indians starter Justin Masterson didn’t allow a run or hit over three innings, striking out the side in the opening inning and fanning five for the game. … Second baseman Jayson Nix plated the first run of the game with a solo home run off Cashner in the sixth. … Third baseman Jason Donald made a triumphant return from a bruised hand, collecting the Indians’ first hit of the game in the third inning. Donald went 1-for-2 and made two plays in the field. … Gomez pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three.

MISSES: A pair of candidates for two openings in the bullpen, Frank Herrmann and Vinnie Pestano, allowed Chicago’s runs. Herrmann blew a save by allowing a run in the eighth, while Pestano surrendered the game-winning run in the ninth. … The Indians managed just five hits after collecting only three Wednesday. … Shelley Duncan went 0-for-3 and struck out twice. … Minor league catcher Chun Chen struck out in his only at-bat and committed an error and passed ball.

ALL WET: With one out and the Cubs batting in the eighth inning, the sprinkler system mistakenly went off on the field, delaying the game for a few minutes and providing a light-hearted moment.

ATTENDANCE: 7,186 at Mesa’s HoHoKam Park.

MESA, Ariz. — Close to two weeks after general manager Chris Antonetti said it was unlikely that Grady Sizemore would be ready for opening day, manager Manny Acta disputed that notion a bit.

“It’s not a foregone conclusion,” Acta said Thursday prior to the Indians’ 2-1 loss to the Cubs in Mesa, Ariz., “not until we see him on the field, so we can gauge how many at-bats he needs to get ready.”

At the start of camp, Sizemore (microfracture surgery left knee) was limited to agility drills and batting practice. But according to head trainer Lonnie Soloff, the three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove award winner has increased the intensity of his agility drills and began participating in outfield activities last week.

Soloff said Sizemore would start running the bases this weekend.

Sizemore isn’t expected to begin playing in exhibition games until the third week of March, which despite Acta’s hopes, would make it unlikely that he would be ready by the start of the regular season.

Pleading the 5th

Acta said the candidates for the fifth spot in the rotation — Josh Tomlin, Jeanmar Gomez and David Huff — would each make one more start before he dwindles the field to two pitchers.

Tomlin has posted a 1.80 ERA in two exhibition appearances (five innings). Gomez, who pitched three scoreless innings Thursday and struck out three, owns a 4.91 ERA in three games (7 1/3 innings). Huff, Cleveland’s fourth starter last year, has a 5.14 ERA in three outings (seven innings).

Donald returns

As expected, Jason Donald returned to the lineup, starting at third base and playing six innings.

Donald, who missed five games after getting hit by a pitch against the White Sox, went 1-for-2, collecting the Indians’ first hit in the third, and made two plays in the field.

“He looked good,” Acta said. “He swung the bat well. We’ll get him back out there (today).”

Overloaded?

The Indians have a number of veterans in camp, including Shelley Duncan, Travis Buck, Adam Everett and Jack Hanahan. Not all of them are expected to make the club, but Acta likes having options.

“That’s depth,” he said. “Last year, we were hurt big time when those three guys (Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana) got hurt. We had to summon those kids from Triple-A that we didn’t feel were ready yet.”

Coming soon

Acta said Chad Huffman (right hamstring) would be available today after going through a full workout Thursday.

Huffman, who was claimed off waivers from the Yankees in the offseason, is in the mix to win the extra outfield spot.

Roundin’ third

Though the game was played in a National League park, the Cubs allowed the Indians to use a designated hitter. … Former Indians closer Kerry Wood, now with the Cubs, caught the ceremonial first pitch from the daughter of Cubs legend Ron Santo. Santo died Dec. 3. Wood pitched an inning against his former team, allowing a base hit to Buck before striking out the next three batters. … Today, 3:05 vs. Mariners at Goodyear Ballpark, WTAM 1100-AM (delay 7 p.m.). Mitch Talbot (0-0, 27.00) vs. RHP Michael Pineda (0-0, 0.00).

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