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SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- I had a whole preview written about the final bullpen decision, and then it was made about 45 minutes before this preview was scheduled to post -- Brian Schlitter got the slot, and Alberto Cabrera has been designated for assignment.
So I had to scrap it and quickly replace it with something, which is this note: Jake Arrieta will travel with the team to Pittsburgh, and will throw a sim game there Monday; that means he'll start the year on the disabled list and is likely at least a couple of rehab starts away from rejoining the rotation. That will be one of three likely DL moves made today or tomorrow; the only questions about Kyuji Fujikawa and James McDonald is whether they go on the 15-day DL or the 60-day DL. Most likely, it'll be the 15-day until and unless any 40-man roster spots are needed.
Cubs lineup:
Bonifacio CF, Castro SS, Rizzo 1B, Schierholtz RF, Sweeney DH, Castillo C, Valbuena 3B, Kalish LF, Barney 2B
Starlin Castro in the lineup, plus a day off for Mike Olt and Junior Lake.
Diamondbacks lineup:
Parra RF, Hill 2B, Goldschmidt 1B, Chavez DH, Prado 3B, Trumbo LF, Montero C, Owings SS, Pollock CF
Jason Hammel starts for the Cubs. Also scheduled today: Neil Ramirez, Blake Parker, Jonathan Sanchez and Brian Schlitter.
Bronson Arroyo gets the call for the Diamondbacks.
Today's game is on WGN radio with Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer. It will be televised live on CSN Chicago with Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies, and you can also watch online if you have a MLB.TV subscription (outside the Chicago and Phoenix areas -- no TV in the Phoenix area).
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
For spring-training games, we'll have a first-pitch thread at game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time (because I know how you all like overflow threads!). For today's game, that will be 3 p.m. CT and 4:30 p.m. CT. These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page. They will also appear in this StoryStream™. The pitcher box and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
Discuss amongst yourselves.