GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- On a cinder-block wall adjacent to the front entrance of the Indians' training complex, a large script "I" has been replaced this year by a block "C," which, of course, stands for Cleveland. The Indians would like to believe it also symbolizes that they're contenders.

However, just being in the hunt or near the top won't be enough for closer Chris Perez, sporting a full beard and longer hair this spring. He's done with rebuilding and any talk about waiting until next year.

"We were contending last year," he said Tuesday. "Winning is the word this year. I don't want to compete. I want to win."

Leave it to Perez to bring the early heat during the first week of training camp under the getting-warmer-by-the-day Arizona sun. The right-hander had 36 saves last season, but he couldn't do anything to stop the Indians' late-season slide in the standings. Cleveland's surprising 30-15 start was followed by an equally abrupt collapse as an avalanche of injuries overwhelmed the Indians.

A summer of fun at Progressive Field became a bummer.

The Indians finished 15 games behind the AL Central-champion Detroit Tigers, the odds-on favorites to win the division again this year after adding slugger Prince Fielder to an already potent lineup.

Looking back on 2011, Perez doesn't remember the start as much as the finish.

"It was fun last year while it lasted, but at the end of the year I had a bitter taste in my month," Perez said. "After the deadline, the Tigers kind of took off and played at another level and we went the other way, but they weren't a better team than us in the first half. This year, we don't have any excuses."

On Tuesday, players, coaches, and manager underwent physicals.

The Indians certainly needed a lot of medical attention last season.

It seemed hardly a day went by without one of Cleveland's players being hurt. The Indians lost their entire starting outfield to injuries, had two starting pitchers go down, used the disabled list 22 times, and had their four most established hitters -- Shin-Soo Choo, Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, and Asdrubal Cabrera -- in the same lineup 17 times all season.

Perez is counting on the Indians getting back to the top this year.

"Last year, we were right in it until the end, until September," he said. "Who knows? If we keep our horses out there all season, and our offense together all season, and our bullpen is going to be as strong like it was last year, and Derek Lowe has a bounce-back year, and Justin Masterson takes another step and Ubaldo has a full year with us? We're looking all right"

NOTES: INF Cristian Guzman took a physical and said he may sign a minor league deal with the Indians on Wednesday. ... The Indians traded LHP Kelvin De La Cruz to Texas for cash. De La Cruz was designated on Feb. 13 to make room for 1B Casey Kotchman. De La Cruz went 5-6 with a 4.19 ERA for Double-A Akron in 2011.