MESA, Ariz. -- Manager Lou Piniella today named Randy Wells the starter for the Cubs' Cactus League opener against Oakland on Thursday at HoHoKam Park.
Sean Marshall will follow Wells in the game, though that doesn't mean Marshall won't get his starts this spring as he competes for one of the two rotation openings.
Piniella conceded that one of the two lefties, either Marshall or Tom Gorzelanny, is likely to win one of the spots since they don't want to have five right-handers in the rotation.
The rest of the week's starters have not been announced.
In other news, Angel Guzman, who had shoulder discomfort, threw 25-30 pitches from about 45-feet, and will throw off a mound on Monday.
"He feels good about today," Piniella said. "His shoulder felt a lot better. That's encouraging."
The Cubs cut practice short on Sunday because of the rain and the soggy fields. But Piniella said everyone got their work in.
"Today we had one pitcher that needed to throw- (John) Grabow- and he got his throwing in," Piniella said.
The position players didn't have to do any running, and had a meeting with coach Rudy Jaramillo. The pitchers had a meeting with coach Larry Rothschild.
"Look, there's nothing more we can do," Piniella said. "I went to chapel. Everything is good. I prayed for our Cubbies."
No holy water?
"No," he replied. "No holy water."
Get our updates on 
Leave a comment