Chicago Cubs pitchers Carlos Silva, Jeff Samardzija, Tom Gorzelanny and Sean Marshall are competing for two spots in the rotation (at least while Ted Lilly is out), and until now, it was unclear whether their handedness would impact the decision on who gets the call. But now, it looks like it’s going to be a little bitta lefty and a little bitta righty.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella has said he wants at least one lefty while the team waits for Ted Lilly’s return. That means that Samardzija is actually going head to head with Carlos Silva for a spot while lefties Tom Gorzelanny and Sean Marshall are facing off. Marshall starts Wednesday, Gorzelanny on Thursday. cubs.com.
In all likelihood, this means that Samardzija has no shot to make the rotation, as I have a hard time envisioning a circumstance where Silva does not make the rotation at this point. I’m not saying I would choose Silva – but he’s pitched adequately in Spring, he comes with a long starting background, and he comes with a huge contract.
As for the lefties, Marshall has been the far better pitcher this Spring, but his versatility to bounce between the pen and starting may hurt him in the long run. He could win a starting spot, but then be shuffled back to the pen when Ted Lilly returns in late April.