GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The Indians have yet another arm to evaluate this spring.

Manager Terry Francona confirmed to the media Thursday that the Tribe has signed right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard to a Minor League contract. Clippard is expected to come straight to Spring Training.

”We’ll let him settle in,” Francona said. “But any time you get a chance to get a Major League pitcher, whether it be a reliever or starter, on a non-roster deal, it’s kind of hard to not want to bring him in."

Clippard is a 12-year veteran who has made stops with the Yankees, Nationals, A's, Mets, D-backs, White Sox, Astros and Blue Jays. Last season with Toronto, the 34-year-old made 73 appearances, his most since 2014 (75). He had a 3.67 ERA and recorded 85 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings. In his career, he’s averaged 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings with a 3.16 ERA.

”He’s had a really strong career,” Francona said. “He’s held his stuff over a period of time, really nice changeup, the ability to pitch a full inning. We’re really excited to bring him in and get a look at it and see where it could go. He’ll go right into the mix of that group, competing for bullpen spots.”

Those bullpen spots are becoming harder to secure, as Clippard will be the 28th hurler to show up to camp this spring, excluding starters Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber.

Clippard is also the 12th pitcher to receive a non-roster invitation to camp.

Among those arms, more than half fall into what Francona describes as the “middle group,” comprised of players competing for a roster spot, including Cody Anderson, Adam Cimber, Jon Edwards, Nick Goody, Brad Hand, Tyler Olson, Dan Otero, Oliver Perez, Adam Plutko, Neil Ramirez, Jefry Rodriguez, Ben Taylor, Nick Wittgren, A.J. Cole and Alex Wilson.

“It is very challenging,” Francona said of having to choose from among so many names. “I think you can make some really bad mistakes by looking at ERAs, things like that. For guys that have track records, it’s a little bit easier because you can go back and think, ‘OK, is this the same guy? Is his velocity down?’

”It is tough because guys throw at different times. The guys that are pitching at the end of the game, they’re facing No. 99, we don’t know who they are, it might be their biggest at-bat of their life. They’re gonna call home after that at-bat and tell mom and dad they faced Tyler Clippard. It’s hard.”

Let it rain

Apparently, the desert does get rain. The Indians were limited with their workouts Thursday, as it rained early morning and early afternoon. While the team waited for the break in precipitation, it took advantage of the down time to capitalize on building the chemistry inside the clubhouse.

”Like this morning Trevor Bauer and Clevinger introduced each other,” Francona said. “And it’s funny because some guys, it’s hilarious, some guys are nervous and we’ll get to the younger guys at some point. The idea is never to embarrass anybody. But it’s amazing. I’ve watched young kids go up and I’ve seen them shaking and the next day you see them and they’re like a part of us. You’re never laughing at somebody. You’re laughing with them. But they’re also growing into, ‘We,’ and it’s really become something I think the guys enjoy.”