We haven't seen the prodigal Jon Lieber throw in a Cub uniform yet this spring; when he does, this afternoon vs. the Mariners at Peoria (Sean Marshall is also scheduled to go today), it will be his first appearance in a Cub uniform since August 1, 2002, a seven-inning, two-run, no-walk outing which was one of his better ones in a season cut short by injury (the Cubs won that game in extra innings, Lieber long gone, no thanks to Dr. Tightpants, who helped cough up a 3-2 Cub lead).

Lieber's been bothered by injuries again in the last year and a half, but his arm is (supposedly) sound. I wasn't in favor of this signing but if healthy, he could put up numbers similar to his 2005 season with the Phillies, which are similar to his career norms. If so, it would be one of Jim Hendry's better pickups.

One thing you know Lieber won't do is walk people -- his career walk average is 1.74 per nine innings. That ranks 45th among all starters in major league history, seven spots ahead of Greg Maddux.

G 30
GS 30
IP 189
H 196
ER 85
BB 35
SO 135
W 12
L 6
ERA 4.05
WHIP 1.222

Jon Lieber's career stats at baseball-reference.com