GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Indians pitchers and catchers report to spring training today. The gathering is informal because most of them are already here. In fact, a big chunk of the roster has been soaking in the desert sunshine for several days.

It's not like manager Terry Francona will be standing in the middle of the locker room with a clipboard and checking off the name of each pitcher and catcher as he walks through the doors. It's more like, "Hey, if you're within the city limits of Goodyear/Phoenix, you're good."

Physicals are Wednesday and the first workout is Thursday.

On Thursday the Indians will be expecting 30 pitchers and six catchers to take part in practice. The Tribe has 20 pitchers on the 40-man roster and 10 more on spring-training invitations.

Veteran left-hander Bruce Chen is among the 10 non-roster pitchers listed on the roster sheet even though the Indians haven't formally announced his signing. Just where Chen fits is hard to see at the moment. Then again, a lot of people probably said the same thing about Aaron Harang last spring.

Harang didn't make the Indians, but he certainly helped the Atlanta Braves last season and this winter signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Phillies.

Chen is expected to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation and could compete for a spot in the bullpen. In the pen, however, there are already three lefties in Marc Rzepczynski, Kyle Crockett and Nick Hagadone, who all pitched well last year.

While Chen's arrival was a surprise, it's believed the Indians are still looking for another reliever. Veteran closers Rafael Soriano and Francisco Rodriguez are still unsigned and would have to be of interest to the Indians if the price is right.

The common thread linking Chen, Soriano and Rodriguez? Scott Boras is their agent.

Around baseball:

Bad news: Dodgers pitchers and catchers don't report to Glendale, Ariz. until Thursday, but they're already down a closer. Kenley Jansen will miss 8-12 weeks after undergoing surgery on his left foot Tuesday to remove a growth from one of the bones in his foot. Jansen converted 44 saves in 49 chances last season for manager Don Mattingly.

Wishing and hoping: The Tigers are waiting on an update on Miguel Cabrera's ankle surgery.

Familiar feeling: In the spring of 1998, a reporter asked then-Indians manager Mike Hargrove how long it took him to get over the team's World Series loss in the 11th inning of Game 7 to Miami the year before.

Hargrove paused for a long time and said, "I'll let you know."

Questions, questions and more questions: No team goes to spring training with all the answers. There are always questions, even for the White Sox, who had about as good an off-season as a team can have.

He's back: Torii Hunter is back with the Twins, where it all began, teaching and laughing just like another Twins' player from long ago.

Around the Indians:

Early arrival: Nick Swisher, recovering from surgery on both knees, is in camp early (MLB.com).

Indians vs. Tigers: Zack Meisel's series on the difference between the Indians and Tigers organizations continues Wednesday. (cleveland.com).

Countdown: Paul Hoynes (cleveland.com) continues the countown of his 10 questions concerning the Indians heading into camp. Tuesday dealt with Question No. 5, Question No. 6, Question No.7 and Question No. 8.

Tweet this:

Tribe President Mark Shapiro tipped his cap to Jason Giambi, who retired from the Indians and baseball on Monday.

Jason Giambi announces his retirement today. An honor to have had G in the Tribe. A generous, wise spirit with so much to offer. True pro. — Mark Shapiro (@MarkShapiro) February 16, 2015

Giambi spent two years with the Indians as a pinch-hitter/coach/sounding board and good guy. His home run against the White Sox late in the 2013 season still produces goose bumps.

Indians are getting some preseason love from all corners of the country.