Feb. 29--Don't expect Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester and John Lackey to appear in the Chicago Cubs' first five exhibition games.
The Cubs' top three starting pitchers won't make their spring debuts until next week, manager Joe Maddon confirmed Monday.
The delay is designed to preserve the arms of each pitcher -- who pitched in the 2015 playoffs. Maddon assures that each pitcher still will be ready by the start of the regular season and likely will have thrown up to 90 pitches in their final start.
"They'll be streched out like we want them to be stretched out," Maddon said.
"They're on pace to have the normal amount of work going into the season."
Left-hander Travis Wood will start the exhibition opener Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale (followed by Kyle Hendricks), followed by Pierce Johnson on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels, Trevor Cahill on Saturday against Cincinnati and Adam Warren on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields.
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