Indians shake hands with Tyler Clippard official

The Cleveland Indians had a busy day on Saturday, not only playing their first game of spring training at Goodyear, Ariz., against the Cincinnati Reds but also making their deal with right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard official. The 12-year veteran was signed on a minor league deal but received an invitation to big league camp. News of the pending deal was reported earlier this week.

Clippard joins a group of more than 30 pitchers in camp, many of whom are vying for a handful of bullpen spots. He also is the 12th pitcher to arrive in camp on a minor league deal. Clippard will reportedly earn $1.25 million if he makes the Indians' roster, with another $1 million available in performance incentives.

The 34-year-old has 12 years of major league experience, pitching in 698 career games. He appeared in 73 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season posting a 3.67 ERA with 85 strikeouts to 23 walks and seven saves. The former ninth-round selection in 2003 has a 52-46 record with a 3.16 ERA and 68 saves for the New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros and Blue Jays in a career that started in 2007.

Clippard appeared in three World Series games for the Mets in 2015.