According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis will join Carlos Zambrano, Rich Hill and Ted Lilly in the Cubs’ starting rotation. Jon Lieber will work as Piniella’s long man out of the bullpen. Dempster will be inserted into the 3rd spot in the rotation behind Ted Lilly and make his first start of the year against the Brewers on April 3rd.
As expected, Kerry Wood was announced as the club’s closer. So as of March 24th, the Cubs’ starting rotation is:
- Carlos Zambrano
- Ted Lilly
- Ryan Dempster
- Rich Hill
- Jason Marquis
There are still decisions to be made in the bullpen with the recent injury of Scott Eyre. But the bullpen appears to be on March 24th:
- Jon Lieber – Long relief
- Kevin Hart – Setup
- Michael Wuertz – Setup
- Bobby Howry – Setup
- Carlos Marmol – Setup
- Kerry Wood – Closer