CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians may have filled one of their bullpen openings.

A person familiar with the negotiations said the club is close to signing free-agent reliever Chad Durbin to a one-year contract. Durbin will report to the team’s training camp in Goodyear, Ariz., for a physical Sunday.

The person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract cannot be finalized until Durbin takes a physical.

ESPN.com reported Durbin has agreed to a $800,000 deal and can make another $1 million in incentives.

The Indians were one of several teams interested in the 33-year-old right-hander, who spent the past three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He went 4-1 with a 3.80 ERA in 64 games as a key contributor last season for the NL East champions.

Durbin, who began his career as a starter, previously pitched for the Indians in 2003 and 2004.

Cleveland manager Manny Acta is confident his bullpen will be one of his team’s strengths this season, and Durbin could make it even better. As long as he passes his physical, Durbin will likely move into a setup role for closer Chris Perez, who emerged as one of the AL’s best last season after assuming the job when Kerry Wood was traded.

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians may have filled one of their bullpen openings.

A person familiar with the negotiations said the club is close to signing free-agent reliever Chad Durbin to a one-year contract. Durbin will report to the team’s training camp in Goodyear, Ariz., for a physical Sunday.

The person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract cannot be finalized until Durbin takes a physical.

ESPN.com reported Durbin has agreed to a $800,000 deal and can make another $1 million in incentives.

The Indians were one of several teams interested in the 33-year-old right-hander, who spent the past three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He went 4-1 with a 3.80 ERA in 64 games as a key contributor last season for the NL East champions.

Durbin, who began his career as a starter, previously pitched for the Indians in 2003 and 2004.

Cleveland manager Manny Acta is confident his bullpen will be one of his team’s strengths this season, and Durbin could make it even better. As long as he passes his physical, Durbin will likely move into a setup role for closer Chris Perez, who emerged as one of the AL’s best last season after assuming the job when Kerry Wood was traded.

CLEVELAND — Closer Chris Perez and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a one-year contract worth $2,225,000, and setup man Rafael Perez agreed to a one-year deal at $1.33 million.

Chris Perez finished with 23 saves in 27 tries last season, when he made $423,800. He took over as the Indians’ closer for the final three months after Kerry Wood was traded to the New York Yankees. Perez’s 1.71 ERA was second lowest among AL relievers. He converted 18 of his final 19 chances, including 10 straight to end the season.

The 25-year-old was acquired in a 2009 trade from St. Louis.

CLEVELAND – Closer Chris Perez and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a $1.33 million, one-year contract and avoided salary arbitration.

Perez finished with 23 saves in 27 tries last season, when he made $423,800. He took over as the Indians’ closer for the final three months after Kerry Wood was traded to the New York Yankees. Perez’s 1.71 ERA was second lowest among AL relievers. He converted 18 of his final 19 chances, including 10 straight to end the season.

The 25-year-old was acquired in a 2009 trade from St. Louis.

Published: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 11:01 AM     Updated: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 12:10 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Indians have signed closer Chris Perez to a one-year deal worth $2.225 million to avoid aribitration.

They have two players left who are still eligible for arbitration — Shin-Soo Choo and Rafael Perez. Players and team  must exchange proposed salarey figures by 1 p.m.

Perez established himself as the Indians closer last season. He went 2-2 with a 1.71 ERA in 53 appearances.  He converted 23 saves in 27 chances.

He opened the season at closer because Kerry Wood was on the disabled list. When Wood was traded to the Yankees on July 31, Perez became the Tribe’s fulltime closer.

Last season Perez made $423,800. Perez’s 2011 contract includes award bonuses.

He qualified for arbitration as a super two player, meaning he had fewer than three years service time, but in the upper 17 percent of the players who have more than two years in the big leagues. Shin-Soo Choo and Rafael Perez are still eligible for arbitration.

Players with three years service time are eligible for arbitration.

The Indians came to terms with Asdrubal Cabrera on Monday night. He agreed to a one-year $2.025 million deal to avoid arbitration. 

The Indians haven’t had a player go to arbitration since 1991.

Versatility: Jason Donald said in an e-mail that he’s been working out at second, shortstop and third base this winter. Donald is a candidate to play third this year. He played second and short for the Tribe last year.