Samardzija gets 1st crack at earning 5th starter role

February 23, 2009

MESA, Ariz. — Jeff Samardzija will get the first shot in the battle for the fifth starter's job, starting the Cubs' Cactus League opener Wednesday against the Dodgers at HoHoKam Stadium.

"All I ever ask for is an opportunity to make it happen on the field," Samardzija said. "You can talk about what you want to do or what your plans are as much as you want. But until you go out and physically prove your point, it's all just talk."

Sean Marshall will start the second game against Milwaukee, with Ted Lilly slated to go in Game 3 against Texas. They're scheduled to work two innings apiece.

Pitching coach Larry Rothschild said he had not scheduled Carlos Zambrano or Rich Harden yet. Each will miss the first run through the rotation. Harden is the only starter who has yet to throw batting practice.

Closer watch: Carlos Marmol still is undecided about whether to pitch in the World Baseball Classic but is leaning against it. He wants to compete for the closer's job in front of manager Lou Piniella, who reiterated he wouldn't penalize Marmol if he plays in the WBC. Rothschild said the closers would pitch in the early innings in Cactus League games until the last week of the spring.

Hop on Fox: Converted catcher Jake Fox continues to make strides at third base—his fourth position in four years with the Cubs. Fox knows his only chance to make the team is by playing well defensively at first and third, where he'd back up Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez. He played only two games at third last year at Double-A Tennessee. "It feels comfortable knowing nothing is going to catch you off guard," he said.

Extra innings: Mitch Atkins will pitch in relief in the Cactus League opener. ... Kosuke Fukudome hit a grand slam for Japan's WBC team in an exhibition game against the Tokyo Giants.

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Samardzija gets 1st crack at earning 5th starter role

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