INDIANS Westbrook's finish gives him an edge over other pitchers

Cleveland is looking for two more starters this year.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- Jake Westbrook's strong finish last season is giving him an edge over other Indians aiming to get in Cleveland's starting rotation.
Westbrook had a 4.64 ERA in 22 starts and a 1.84 ERA in 12 relief appearances. In four starts to end the season, he was 1-2 with a 2.01 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .210 batting average.
"Westbrook probably has a leg up on the others because of those last four games," manager Eric Wedge said. "I was really impressed with what he did. He finished up very strong."
The Indians are looking for two starters to go with left-handers C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee and right-hander Jason Davis. Leading candidates are right-handed Westbrook and lefty Jason Stanford.
Westbrook might be the most versatile pitcher on the staff. Although he's had more success in long relief than as a starter, Wedge seems determined to see him in the rotation.
Stanford isn't overpowering, but the Indians like that he doesn't back down from hitters and keeps his composure in tight situations. In 13 games last season (eight starts), he was 1-3 with a 3.60 ERA.
Wedge called Jeff D'Amico an "intriguing" candidate. The 6-foot-7 right-hander was 9-16 with a 4.77 ERA in 29 starts for the Pirates last season. D'Amico is 44-50 with a 4.49 ERA in six years in the majors.
In the running
Also in the running are right-handers Chad Durbin and Jason Bere, both coming off injuries.
Durbin, still trying to come back from "Tommy John" surgery on his elbow in 2000, spent most of last season in the minors. He made three appearances with the Indians, going 0-1 with a 7.27 ERA. Bere made only two appearances with the Indians last season before a shoulder operation.
If they don't make the rotation, Westbrook or Durbin might end up in long relief, Wedge said.
"I wouldn't look at D'Amico, Bere or Stanford as a long reliever," he said.
The Indians will keep 12 pitchers. Right-hander Bob Wickman, coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2002, will be the closer. Right-handers David Riske and Jose Jimenez and left-hander Scott Stewart will be the setup men.
Not including the long man, two more relief spots are open. Right-handers Rafael Betancourt and Jack Cressend, who pitched well for the Indians last season, are the leading candidates. Right-handers Kaz Tadano and Luther Hackman are also competing for a spot.
No matter who lands the spots, Wedge is stressing the need for better fielding from pitchers.
"It's an area I was disappointed in last year," he said. "We gave up too many outs last year. We had tight games last year where we got exposed."
Decisions, decisions
Wedge also must decide whether to keep two extra outfielders or two utility infielders before Cleveland opens the season at Minnesota on April 5.
"Once the exhibition games start, we can really focus in on what we want to see," he said.
Victor Martinez, the top prospect in the Indians farm system, will be the starting catcher, with Josh Bard and Tim Laker battling for the backup spot.
The Indians will keep at least six infielders (Ben Broussard, Travis Hafner, Ronnie Belliard, Omar Vizquel, Casey Blake and utility man John McDonald) and four outfielders (Matt Lawton, Milton Bradley, Jody Gerut and Ryan Ludwick, if he's recovered from offseason knee surgery).
The last roster spot will likely be between infielder Ricky Gutierrez, who seems recovered from his 2002 spinal fusion, and an extra outfielder, either Coco Crisp or Alex Escobar.
Notes
Wedge said second baseman Brandon Phillips will likely start the season at Triple-A Buffalo ... The Indians will play intra-squad games Wednesday and Thursday before opening exhibition play Friday against Houston in Winter Haven.... Cleveland hired Lee May Jr. as hitting coach for Class A Burlington. His father, Lee May Sr., played in the majors from 1965-1982.