The Cubs begin play in the Cactus League on Thursday with a split squad day. And on Monday, Joe Maddon announced his starting rotation for the first six exhibition games.
Travis Wood (A’s) and Jacob Turner (Giants) get the Cactus League openers on Thursday. And Wood will oppose fellow lefty Barry Zito at Sloan Park.
Jon Lester makes his Cubs debut on Friday (March 6) against the Reds at Sloan Park.
Jason Hammel takes on one of his old teams on Saturday (March 7). Hammel and Felix Doubront are scheduled to face the Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Jake Arrieta and Tsuyoshi Wada square off against the Rangers Sunday (March 8) at Sloan Park. Edwin Jackson and Kyle Hendricks are scheduled to be the first two pitchers used Monday (March 9) against the Padres at Sloan Park.
First outings of the spring for starters are typically no more than two innings with strict pitch count limits.
According to reports, Chris Bosio has not mapped out the starters past the sixth Spring Training game and it will be interesting to see how soon in games Joe Maddon uses his relievers that are expected to be on the Opening Day roster.
After the first 10 exhibition games, barring injuries, it will easier to follow Chris Bosio plans for his pitching staff this spring both the starters and relievers.
Joe Maddon has not released the lineups yet for Thursday’s Cactus League openers.
The Cubs have 32 pitchers on the Spring Training roster.
40-Man Roster – Pitchers
- Jake Arrieta, RHP (49)
- Dallas Beeler, RHP (32)
- Drake Britton, LHP (66)
- Felix Doubront, LHP (22)
- C.J. Edwards, RHP (79)
- Justin Grimm, RHP (52)
- Jason Hammel, RHP (39)
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP (28)
- Edwin Jackson, RHP (36)
- Eric Jokisch, LHP (43)
- Jon Lester, LHP (34)
- Jason Motte, RHP (30)
- Joseph Ortiz, LHP (60)
- Blake Parker, RHP (50)
- Neil Ramirez, RHP (54)
- Hector Rondon, RHP (56)
- Zac Rosscup, LHP (59)
- Brian Schlitter, RHP (63)
- Pedro Strop, RHP (46)
- Jacob Turner, RHP (38)
- Tsuyoshi Wada, LHP (18)
- Travis Wood, LHP (37)
Non-Roster Invitees – Pitchers
- Daniel Bard, RHP (55)
- Corey Black, RHP (82)
- Francisley Bueno, LHP (48)
- Anthony Carter, RHP (73)
- Hunter Cervenka, LHP (71)
- Jorge De Leon, RHP (72)
- Gonzalez Germen, RHP (-)
- Pierce Johnson, RHP (80)
- Armando Rivero, RHP (81)
- Donn Roach, RHP (62)
The first six games will be broadcast on Cubs.com, MLB.com or WBBM-780. Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer will call Saturday and Sunday’s games (March 7-8). Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie will broadcast the other games on Cubs.com.