The Chicago Cubs’ season-opening rotation is taking shape as spring training begins to wind down.
Right-hander Jeff Samardzija will be the Opening Day starter, manager Rick Renteria announced recently after there was some talk that lefty Travis Wood might got the nod. Wood will go in the second game in Pittsburgh, and he will be followed by right-handers Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel.
The No. 5 spot in the rotation, though, is still up in the air.
The Cubs hoped right-hander Jake Arrieta would take the job and run with it, but he was slowed this spring because of a tight right shoulder.
Right-hander James McDonald seemed to be a possibility, but he was pulled from one recent start because of what was described as tendinitis-like symptoms in his pitching shoulder. He said the problem was not as serious as what he experienced last year with the Pirates.
“It felt a little sore warming up,” he said. “I had some soreness early last year. Me being a little precautious, it was something where I didn’t want it to end up being something worse, so I said something.”
These developments left the door open for left-hander Chris Rusin, who has experience with the big club the past two seasons.
If all else fails, the Cubs can always fall back on veteran right-hander Carlos Villanueva, who split time between the rotation and the bullpen last year. Villanueva struck out eight over four innings in a recent spring start.
“I’m used to it by now,” Villanueva said of the uncertainty of his role. “Instead of getting frustrated with any questions, it’s a competition.”
NOTES, QUOTES
–SS Starlin Castro was said to be 90 percent or better as of March 20. Castro had not seen any Cactus League action since March 2 because of a strained right hamstring, and the Cubs were formulating a plan of action that included possible minor league at-bats near the end of spring training. (That way, Castro could bat in every inning if the Cubs wanted him to do so.) They remained optimistic he would be open the regular season on the active roster. “We’re getting closer; it feels pretty good,” Castro said.
–INF Javier Baez took the team lead with spring home runs (five) as the next-to-last week of spring training neared its end. The Cubs maintain Baez will open the season as the shortstop at Triple-A Iowa. Baez’s bat may get him to the big leagues sooner rather than later, so the Cubs gave him back-to-back starts at second base recently, and time at third base appeared to be in the offing. “It gives him a sense of comfort,” manager Rick Renteria said of the outings at second. “Anyone who is learning another position, you want to give them consecutive games if you can.”
–3B Mike Olt got his first start at third base March 20 as he bids to make the team. Olt’s four home runs were second on the team to INF Javier Baez’s five, so the Cubs would like to keep that power potential going into the regular season. However, shoulder soreness limited Olt to first base and DH duties for most of the spring. “He’s got to be healthy,” manager Rick Renteria said. “We can’t make a determination on anything as far as where he’s going to be until we know he’s capable of being able to go out there.” Added Olt: “It’s not always like riding a bike.”
–OF Ryan Kalish, in camp as a non-roster man, is pushing for a major league roster spot. He missed all of last year with neck and shoulder issues, but he could land a backup spot, especially if OF Junior Lake continues to struggle at the plate and gets send to Triple-A Iowa. “He gets after it,” manager Rick Renteria said.
–RHP Arodys Vizcaino was among the recent roster cuts. Vizcaino, who has not pitched since 2011 because of a slow recovery from Tommy John surgery, was viewed as a bullpen possibility. However, the Cubs don’t want to rush Vizcaino, and he will start the season at Triple-A Iowa. “If there’s a need, he’s a nice guy to have with the depth it gives us,” manager Rick Renteria said. Vizcaino came to the Cubs in July 2012 in a trade with Atlanta.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s going to be a good year for me.” — SS Starlin Castro, who missed most of the Cactus League season due to a hamstring injury.