GOODYEAR, Ariz. - When Anthony Swarzak signed with the Indians this offseason, he didn't want an out-clause in his contract. He felt that would send the wrong message.
"I wanted to pitch in Cleveland," said Swarzak. "I wanted to be on this team. I wanted to play for Tito. I wanted to be in this bullpen.
"Giving me an out is clearly telling the organization, "Take me or I'm leaving.' That's not the type of guy I am. That's not the type of player I want to be. I don't have an out and I'm OK with that."
Swarzak won't need the out clause because Sunday he became part of the American League's busiest bullpen. Considering what the Indians pen has accomplished the last two years, that's saying something.
"I knew this bullpen would be tough to crack," said Swarzak, 29. "It's a young bullpen and I had some easier options out there, but I wanted to be a part of this because I think we're going to win here and I'm ready to win in my career."
Swarzak gives Francona seven relievers and he might not be done. In fact, Francona could open the season with a nine-man bullpen counting swingman Zach McAllister and Austin Adams.
McAllister will start the home opener April 10, but after that he could slide into the pen until a fifth starter is needed April 21. Adams is still in contention for the final spot on the 25-man roster.
Swarzak has four years in the big leagues, all with the Twins. When they played the Indians, he was envious.
"Playing against Cleveland these last few years, I've really seen fun," he said "I've really seen something that I wanted to be a part of here in Cleveland. It was fun to watch the overall quality of baseball that was going on.
"I'll be 30 this year. I got drafted when I was 18. I've been doing this for a while. I'm ready to win. That's the next thing I want to do in my career. It's not all about the money for me. I'm ready to be part of something special."
Swarzak is Francona's kind of reliever - versatile and built for the long haul. In the last three years, he ranks second in the big leagues for innings pitched as a reliever at 237 1/3.
For a bullpen that set the AL record with 573 appearances last season, Swarzak is the perfect fit.
"Coming into camp, when we had a chance to sign him, I think we were surprised," said Francona.
Swarzak has had an up and down spring. He has a 9.35 ERA in eight appearances. But he's been sharp of late.
Asked how he was going to be used, Swarzak said, "I don't really care. I'm happy to have a jersey in my locker. I've always been that kind of guy."
Rotate on this: The rotation at Class AAA Columbus is looking better and better.
Bruce Chen, Josh Tomlin and Danny Salazar are all expected to start for the Clippers after being told they didn't make the Tribe's opening day roster. On Sunday, Shaun Marcum said he was going to report to Columbus as well.
Marcum will join the rotation as well.
Good impression: Reliever Jeff Manship is reporting to Columbus as well after being told Sunday that he wouldn't make the Tribe.
Manship, who threw a scoreless inning in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the White Sox, has had a great spring. He's 1-0 with a 0.96 ERA (one earned run in 9 1/3 innings). He struck out 13 and walked three.
"He had as good a camp as you could have," said Francona. "We told him he'd pitched himself right directly into the middle of our plans. He's pitched himself right onto the radar."
Bubble man: Francona told Adams on Sunday to hang tight and don't leave town. Depending on the Indians decision makers, he could open the season with the Tribe.
It all depends who they think can help them the most during the first few weeks of the season - Adams, outfielder Tyler Holt or right-handed hitter Jerry Sands.
"I didn't necessarily expect to be in this situation," said Adams, who made his big league debut last year. "I wanted to compete hard enough to make myself be available for it.
"I came in ready to work hard and go where the season takes me."