Indians reportedly show interest in former Cy Young winner

Published Feb. 11, 2015 2:30 p.m. ET

foxsports

With a week until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Indians were in Houston on Tuesday to watch workouts from Barry Zito and Matt Albers.

According to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com, the Indians were one of five teams to watch Zito's workout. The left-hander, who won the American League Cy Young Award in 2002, did not pitch last season. In 2013 with the Giants, Zito went 5-11 with a 5.74 ERA in 30 games with 25 being starts.

With the Tribe adding Gavin Floyd over the offseason, the need for another veteran arm isn't much of a priority, especially with as many as four pitchers vying for the final spot in the rotation. Barring injuries, Corey Kluber, Floyd, Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco appear to be set with Danny Salazar, T.J. House, Zach McAllister and Josh Tomlin in the mix for the last spot.

During Tribe Fest, general manager Chris Antonetti raised the possibility of signing another bullpen arm, which makes Albers' workout more intriguing. The right-hander was with the Indians in 2013, going 3-1 with a 3.14 ERA in 56 appearances. He signed with Houston last season but pitched only 10 innings in eight appearances due to shoulder problems. Albers also pitched for Francona in Boston in 2011.

The Indians signed Anthony Swarzak last month to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, but Francona loves to have as many bullpen options as possible.