FORT MYERS, Fla. — Righthanded reliever Anthony Varvaro reported to Red Sox camp this week and started preparing for the season. It was much like he did a year ago.

It’s what happened in between that had his head spinning.

Varvaro was on the Opening Day roster in 2015 and appeared in nine of the first 21 games. The Sox then designated him for assignment on April 29.

Four days later, the Chicago Cubs claimed Varvaro off waivers.

“I thought, ‘This is great, I’ll go pitch for them,’ ’’ Varvaro said. “But I never pitched.’’

A preexisting elbow injury was detected when the Cubs gave Varvaro a physical. It appeared to be a tear of the flexor muscle, something serious. The Cubs returned Varvaro to the Red Sox, who promptly placed him on the disabled list.

When Varvaro went in for surgery, it was discovered he had a bone spur that was irritating the muscle, not a tear. It was likely an injury he had been unknowingly dealing with for years.

“You pitch and you have aches and pains,’’ said Varvaro. “I didn’t think I had anything wrong.’’

Varvaro was on the disabled list for the rest of the season. The Sox then outrighted him off the 40-man roster on Nov. 20. He declined his assignment to Triple A Pawtucket and became a free agent.

Varvaro decided to stay with the Red Sox, signing a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training. His elbow has healed up and he’s ready to pitch.

There is little chance Varvaro will be on the Opening Day roster this time. Craig Kimbrel, Robbie Ross Jr., Carson Smith, Junichi Tazawa, and Koji Uehara have spots locked up, barring injury.

Lefthander Tommy Layne, who is out of minor league options, is expected to make the team. The other spot could go to righthander Steven Wright, who also is out of options.

The Sox have used an average of 19.6 relief pitchers per season over the last five years, so who is on the roster for Opening Day is often meaningless. For now, Varvaro is content to wait his turn.

“Teams go through relievers,’’ he said. “If I pitch well, I’ll get a chance. I just need to get back out there.’’

Varvaro could be valuable. He appeared in 123 games for the Atlanta Braves from 2013-14 and had a 2.74 earned run average and 1.19 WHIP. When healthy, Varvaro is tough on lefties and induces a lot of ground outs.

Marmol invited

The Red Sox signed 33-year-old righthanded reliever Carlos Marmol to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Marmol had a strong run with the Cubs from 2007-12, averaging 72 appearances a season and 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings as he became their closer. Control was always an issue, but Marmol was one of the best relievers in the game during that time.

He has a 5.20 ERA in 67 major league games since with the Cubs, Dodgers, and Marlins. Marmol did not pitch in the majors last season. He signed a minor league deal with the Indians in May and pitched in 28 games.

Marmol appeared in eight games for Licey in the Dominican Winter League and had a 2.57 ERA. He struck out only four in seven innings, however, and walked 12.

With Marmol, the Red Sox will have 56 players in camp.

Keep ’em coming

Ross, outfielder Bryce Brentz, and utilityman Brock Holt were among those checking into camp Tuesday. Bench coach Torey Lovullo and first base coach Ruben Amaro Jr. also arrived . . . There were tornado warnings in the Fort Myers area Monday night when a storm swept through. Fenway South emerged unscathed outside of some puddles.

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.