Highly touted hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, who signed with the Cubs this winter, gets to work at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz., on Wednesday as the Cubs opened their training camp for pitchers and catchers.

Bruce Miles | Daily Herald Staff

Three early birds at Fitch Park on Wednesday included, from left, Cubs catcher Geovany Soto, pitcher Carlos Zambrano, and outfielder Marlon Byrd. The Cubs opened their spring training camp in Mesa on Wednesday for pitchers and catchers, but several position players joined them.

Bruce Miles | Daily Herald Staff

Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd digs in for some batting practice Wednesday at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz. The Cubs acquired Byrd after they send Milton Bradley to Seattle.

Bruce Miles | Daily Herald Staff

A slimmed-down Geovany Soto, left, waits behind outfield Marlon Byrd for some batting practice on Wednesday at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz. Although only pitchers and catchers are required to report this early, quite a few position players joined them.

Bruce Miles | Daily Herald Staff

Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly gets to work Wednesday morning as pitchers and catchers reported to spring training at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz. Lilly is rehabbing from arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder.

Bruce Miles | Daily Herald Staff

New Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd was among the position players to get in some early work in the batting cages at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz., on Wednesday as the Cubs opened their training camp for pitchers and catchers.

Bruce Miles | Daily Herald Staff