Samardzija sitting No. 6 on Cubs pitching chart

Posted February 18, 2009 10:00 pm

Associated Press

MESA, Ariz. - Cubs manager Lou Piniella placed former Notre Dame football star Jeff Samardzija sixth overall right now on the depth chart for the pitching rotation.

Sean Marshall is a the top contender for the fifth spot in a starting staff featuring Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly and Rich Harden.

Samardzija could move up, he could stay in the Cubs' bullpen where he pitched well last season or the Cubs could op to send him to the minors to get in work as a potential member of the rotation.

Second thoughts: Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles will compete to be the starting second baseman, but both are going to be busy this season, regardless of who wins the job. Lou Piniella said he'd like Fontenot and Miles to get 400 at-bats apiece.

Miles will likely be Ryan Theriot's backup at shortstop and Fontenot could spell Aramis Ramirez at third.