Jake Arrieta throws side session, Joe Maddon sets Cubs Opening Day rotation
Jake Arrieta completed a side session Sunday morning at the Cubs’ complex. Multiple reports indicated everything went well and Arrieta is good to go for Opening Night next Monday in Anaheim.
Arrieta threw 46 pitches Sunday. His pitch count is still a concern to the Cubs. Arrieta made on 34 pitches in his short outing last Thursday after building to around 60 pitches the start before against Rockies’ minor leaguers.
Jake Arrieta will start Tuesday at Sloan Park. Arrieta should try to ramp up his pitch count to around 80 in his last Spring Training outing.
Chris Bosio called the blister on Arrieta’s right thumb a “complete non-issue” after Sunday’s side session. According to ESPN Chicago, Arrieta’s blister is healed.
According to Bruce Levine, Joe Maddon met with his starting pitchers Sunday and set the Opening Day rotation.
As expected, the Cubs will begin the season with a starting five of Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, John Lackey, Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks.
Trevor Cahill is the Cubs emergency starter. Cahill will be used in multiple roles out of the pen at the start of the season. If Maddon needs a starter, Cahill will fill the role. Wood, Richard and Warren have been told they are in the bullpen.
With Maddon’s rotation, and order set, the Cubs bullpen is expected to consist of RHP Hector Rondon, RHP Pedro Strop, RHP Justin Grimm, RHP Trevor Cahill, RHP Adam Warren, LHP Travis Wood and LHP Clayton Richard. The Cubs have not decided to begin the season with an eight-man pen or with seven relievers. If the Cubs start the year with eight relievers, it’s believed RHP Neil Ramirez will break camp with the team.