Rotation hopefuls in spotlight
MESA, Ariz. -- Things should start to heat up this week in the battle for the lone opening in the Cubs' starting rotation as the three candidates pitch in succession Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
And don't be surprised to see left-hander Neal Cotts give comeback candidates Mark Prior and Wade Miller a serious run for that job over the next couple of weeks.
Manager Lou Piniella liked what he saw from Cotts in a sharp two-inning performance Monday, and the former White Sox reliever gets his first start of the spring Friday against Sammy Sosa's Texas Rangers in Surprise, Ariz.
Prior has been getting most of the attention this spring as a favorite for the fifth-starter job, but he didn't pitch well Monday and didn't have competitive velocity. Piniella said Tuesday that the battle is wide open. He also said he has no problem having three lefties in his rotation should Cotts beat out Miller and Prior.
''I don't know who the fifth starter's going to be,'' Piniella said. ''Everybody's getting the ball for the same amount of time here, and we'll let them compete. At the end, we'll make a decision.''
Miller starts Thursday against the San Diego Padres, and Prior is scheduled to follow Ted Lilly on Saturday against the Padres.
Piniella said the good news is that Prior had no soreness Tuesday morning, beyond typical next-day stiffness, after the 40-pitch start Monday, and he anticipates Prior's arm strength and maybe his velocity to improve as the spring goes on.
SHORT HOPS: Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano told a Caracas, Venezuela, newspaper that negotiations have resumed on a possible five-year contract extension with the team.
• Utility infielder Ryan Theriot came off the bench and played shortstop one day after he was scratched from Monday's lineup because of stomach flu. Piniella said he plans to get Theriot more time at short and third base, and maybe even in the outfield, to prepare for his role this season.
• Outfielder Cliff Floyd, who has been held out of games as the club gives him extra time to make sure his surgically repaired left heel is completely healthy, has been told to expect to make his spring debut either Saturday or Sunday. ''[Friday] would be better,'' Floyd said, ''but I'll take [Saturday].''
• Right-hander Kerry Wood, who looked impressive in his spring debut Monday, is scheduled to throw another inning of relief Thursday.
• Online registration begins at 9 this morning at www.cubs.com for the chance to purchase single-game tickets for dugout box, bullpen box and bleacher box seats for the regular season. The deadline to register is 3 p.m. Sunday, and those given the first chance to buy tickets will be notified Tuesday.