MESA, Ariz. – Jon Lester will be ready if Jake Arrieta becomes a question mark for Opening Day.
Arrieta’s brilliance last year— and the yips and some bad luck — overshadowed Lester’s strong debut season with the Cubs. While Arrieta blossomed into a Cy Young Award winner, Lester is still a three-time All-Star with two World Series rings and a 2.85 ERA in 98 career postseason innings.
So the Cubs will be in good hands if they are cautious with the blister on Arrieta’s right thumb and start Lester on April 4 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
“All five of us are prepared to go whenever they tell us to go,” Lester said after throwing five scoreless innings during Friday’s 5-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Sloan Park. “If it’s a day sooner, then we’ll make an adjustment. And if it’s my normal day, then we’ll stay right on track.
“Talking to Jake this morning a little bit, I don’t think he’s too concerned about it. I don’t think many people are concerned about it.”
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The Cubs have a good backup plan for Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. While Lester’s practice throws to first base have generated most of the headlines, the $155 million lefty seems visibly more comfortable this spring and ready for a big season, which might start before Arrieta.
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“I don’t think it’s going to affect him too much,” Lester said. “Hopefully, everything heals up fine and we don’t have to alter anything and we just stay on course.”