02/25/10 4:33 PM EST
MESA, Ariz. — Carlos Zambrano will likely be the Cubs' Opening Day starter for the sixth straight year.
"We haven't even gone there yet," manager Lou Piniella said Thursday when asked if he'd named his starter for the April 5 season opener in Atlanta.
"I've been here three years and Zambrano has been the Opening Day starter every year," Piniella said. "I don't anticipate any difference there."
Last year, Zambrano won the Cubs' season opener against Houston, giving up one run on five hits over six innings. It was his fifth straight Opening Day start but first win.
The Cubs are sorting through the arms in camp to determine their bullpen and one candidate, Angel Guzman, had another setback. Guzman was shut down Thursday because of some discomfort in his right shoulder. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in January and already was a couple weeks behind the others. However, he still could be ready by Opening Day.
"We just felt that coming off the 'scope and because he's had difficulties on and off in the past, that we'll take the precautionary route and push him back a couple days," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.
Pitcher Ted Lilly remained at home for the fourth straight day because of a high fever. The hope is that Lilly, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in early November, can come to Fitch Park on Friday to play catch.
One pitcher who appears to have secured a spot in the Cubs' bullpen is Esmailin Caridad.
2010 Spring Training – Chicago Cubs
News & Features
Cubs prospects relish BP experience
Zambrano expected to start Cubs' opener
Theriot plunked in BP, bruises left hand
Soriano 'surprised' knee feels good
Lee wants Jaramillo to help him out of gate
Sights & Sounds
The early Cub gets the worm
Wells looks to help Cubs in 2010
Spring Training Info
Schedule
Ballpark
Tickets
"He's on the team," Piniella said. "He's almost got to pitch himself off it. I don't think he will. I like this young man. He competes, he's got a good arm, he can pitch a lot. He handled himself here quite well the last two months of the season."
Caridad appeared in 14 games with the Cubs late last season and gave up three earned runs over 19 1/3 innings for a 1.40 ERA. He's not experienced — last year was his first at Triple-A. Could he be the right-handed setup pitcher the Cubs need?
"He's got the stuff for it," Piniella said. "Does he have the experience, savvy? We'll have to wait and see. He does have the stuff. One good thing about this young man is he's not scared."
Jeff Samardzija had an early pitching session Thursday, getting his work done before the rest of the team had gone onto the field to stretch. The former Notre Dame wide receiver has impressed this spring.
Pitching coach Larry Rothschild told Piniella that the first couple years, Samardzija looked like a football player who was pitching. Rothschild said this year, the right-hander looks like a baseball player who played football.
"That's a big transformation, and that's a really profound statement as far as I'm concerned," Piniella said. "It says he's making the adjustments and really stepping forward and looking like a Major League pitcher."
Samardzija is one of the candidates for a spot in the Cubs' rotation.
"He's throwing the ball smoother, with less effort, and his mechanics have improved," Piniella said. "He looks like a Major League pitcher on the mound. He's got natural talent. It's just a question of refining it. We're going to let this guy pitch and around the 20th of March, we'll see exactly where he's at."
Jeff Gray, sidelined with a sore groin, did throw on flat ground Thursday. He is not expected to throw off a mound until next week when the team moves to HoHoKam Park for the start of games.