Lester pitched five scoreless innings in his first two starts but gave up six runs, seven hits and two home runs in 3 1/3 innings Monday against the San Diego Padres. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Cubs ace Jon Lester will miss his scheduled start Saturday because of a tired arm, but manager Joe Maddon said Friday that he does not expect the left-hander to miss the season opener April 5.
“A lot of guys go through that moment where the arm just doesn’t feel right,” Maddon said. “He came out of the chute really strong and probably went after it too hard too early. Possibly trying to impress everybody, just being Jon Lester.”
Lester pitched five scoreless innings in his first two starts but gave up six runs, seven hits and two home runs in 3 1/3 innings Monday against the San Diego Padres.
Maddon said Lester is “upbeat” and “feeling great” and will throw between starts, as usual, before starting again next Thursday.
The Cubs signed Lester to a six-year, $155 million deal in the offseason.
