Julio, Breslow clinch Indians’ bullpen spots

Tom Mastny was released which made room for Jorge Julio and Craig Breslow.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The 2008 Indians are now a team.

The competition for roster spots all but ended Wednesday morning when right-handed reliever Tom Mastny was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. That move clinched the final spots in the bullpen for right-hander Jorge Julio and newly acquired left-hander Craig Breslow.

“Everybody knows Julio has a great arm,” manager Eric Wedge said of the former Baltimore closer. “He has also pitched with consistency this spring. He has pitched himself into situations, but he’s been able to get right back out of them.

“He’s got experience. He’s got back-end-of-the-bullpen experience. He’s a nice compliment to our other guys.”

Rafael Betancourt, Masa Kobayashi and Julio are all potential alternatives if closer Joe Borowski were to struggle or be injured.

Julio had been battling Mastny and Scott Elarton for the final spot in the bullpen. Elarton was reassigned to minor league camp Tuesday.

Mastny was 7-2 with a 4.68 ERA in 51 appearances for the Indians last year. He worked 42‚Ñ3 scoreless innings against Boston in the American League Championship Series.

The right-hander got off to a rough start in spring training, pitched better at the end, but was never able to make up the ground he had lost. Mastny has a 6.39 ERA and .308 opponents’ batting average this spring.

“There are always things a young pitcher can be working on,” Wedge said. “He’s done a good job in multiple roles for us. We just don’t have a spot for him.”

Mastny has 1 year, 70 days of major league service time. Julio has 6 years, 62 days.

“You need a veteran presence down there,” Wedge said.

Breslow was claimed off waivers from Boston Sunday and left-hander Aaron Fultz was designated for assignment Tuesday.

The only doubt remaining is in left field, where David Dellucci has been battling a sore left wrist and forearm. If Dellucci is healthy enough to begin the season, outfielder Ben Francisco — the best player in camp this spring — is headed back to Buffalo. Dellucci played all nine nine innings Wednesday against Houston.

Josh Barfield, last year’s opening day second baseman, was sent down Tuesday. Barfield batted .238 this spring, but his walks-to-strikeouts (6-to-10 in 42 at-bats) did show some improvement over last season (14-to-90 in 420 at-bats).

“He improved in every way,” Wedge said.

The Indians actually have 27 players on the 25-man roster. The other two are Francisco and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, who will begin the season on the disabled list. Choo is coming off Tommy John elbow surgery.

There are four non-roster invitees still in camp — right-hander Brendan Donnelly, utilityman Andy Gonzalez, catcher Yamid Haad and outfielder Jason Tyner. Donnelly is also coming off Tommy John surgery.