March 25--Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta was pulled in the first inning of his start Thursday against the San Francisco Giants.
Arrieta, the 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner, was pulled after only 34 pitches due to a blister on his right thumb. Arrieta told a team official he considers the ailment to be minor.
Arrieta is scheduled to make his last start of spring training Tuesday in preparation for his opening night assignment April 4 against the Los Angeles Angels.
After looking sharp throughout his spring starts and declaring himself ready for the start of the season last Saturday, Arrieta was out of rhythm from the start during a 34-pitch outing.
Arrieta retired Denard Span on a fly, but the next six batters reached base safely. Maddon visited the mound after Brandon Belt drew a walk to load the bases but had little choice but to pull him after Brandon Crawford drew a walk to force in a run.
Arrieta was charged with five runs on four hits in one-third of an inning.
This marks the second consecutive spring that a Cubs opening day starter has suffered an ailment. Left-hander Jon Lester suffered dead arm symptoms in mid-March.
Michael Jensen replaced Arrieta and allowed a two-run single to Angel Pagan to cap a five-run first.
