Indians pitcher John Axford struck out two batters and walked one in a scoreless inning of work in his spring debut as the Indians beat the Reds Friday, 4-0.

It was Axford's first outing with the team since signing a one-year, $4.5-million deal this offseason.

"It felt good," Axford said. "I was sweaty, tired, anxious. All those things. Yeah, it was fun. It's the first time facing live hitters. That got those nerves going a little bit, but I think that always comes out in the first outing."

Axford is expected to serve as Cleveland's closer after going 7-7 with a 4.02 ERA and 65:26 K:BB ratio with Milwaukee last season.