Samardzija ready to fill in for Zambrano
Start likely to be a one-time showing until Lilly returns
By Owen Perkins / Special to MLB.com
DENVER -- As the Cubs work to keep pace in the pennant race while enduring an endless stream of visits to the disabled list -- 17 this season, including nine pitchers -- manager Lou Piniella has assembled a rotation that can hopefully hold the club over until key starters return.
Carlos Zambrano, the latest casualty, was placed on the DL on Saturday morning, and the Cubs hope to hear a report on his MRI on Sunday evening. In the meantime, Piniella has slotted right-hander Jeff Samardzija into Zambrano's spot in the rotation. Samardzija pitched four innings of relief in Zambrano's scratched start Friday, throwing 73 pitches in his longest outing of the year.
"He threw the ball well the other night," Piniella said. "I started [left-hander Sean] Marshall, possibly thinking that they might change their lineup around a little bit. They did, only in one spot. But we knew that Samardzija was going to pitch the bulk of the innings in that game."
Wednesday's start against the defending World Series champion Phillies will be Samardzija's first big league start, and the Indiana native and All-American football and baseball player from Notre Dame can expect an exuberant crowd to welcome him to the hill at Wrigley Field.
"I haven't told anyone about it yet," Samardzija said, anticipating a demand for tickets from nearby friends and family. "I was hoping we could sneak up on it, but it seems like the cat's out of the bag. I've gotten a bunch of calls. I figure I'll put a few aside, but try not to worry about it too much. Let 'em scalp 'em."
Samardzija hasn't let a season of transitions affect his game. He's on his second big league callup of the season, having been used as a starter with Triple-A Iowa and a reliever with the Cubs.
"I didn't think that far ahead," Samardzija said of his expectations when he joined the big league pitching staff. "It was just kind of a day-to-day thing. I told them since the beginning, 'I'm open to doing anything.' I just like to pitch. Any time a spot opens up, I wouldn't mind filling it. It's been kind of like that all year."
Samardzija has compiled a 1-1 record and a 6.29 ERA in 16 appearances for the Cubs spanning 24 1/3 innings. He faced the Phillies on the road on July 21, pitching 1 2/3 innings of extra-inning ball until losing the game on a three-run homer in the 13th.
"He'll go out there and compete," Piniella said. "He pitched against the Phillies in Philadelphia. He gave up the home run to [Jayson] Werth in the 13th, but he went out and competed and did well."
Part of Piniella's plan hinges on Ted Lilly rejoining the rotation after making a Minor League rehab start next week. Piniella hopes to see 60-70 pitches from Lilly, and if all goes well, Lilly will return to the rotation a week from Monday in San Diego with Samardzija going back to the bullpen.
"I just enjoy pitching," Samardzija said, keeping focused on the game in front of him and not worrying about his prospect for sticking as a starter. "If they want to give me an opportunity to get a handful of innings, then I'm going to jump on it."
