Samardzija, Atkins slated for Cactus League opener

MESA, Ariz. - Ryan Theriot has an old-school way about him.

Whether it is his approach at the plate or his team-first attitude, Theriot's style of play would fit in perfectly with teams of bygone years.

Turns out the approach bleeds into the Cubs shortstop's off-season as well.

"I don't lift weights as much as most guys," Theriot said before the Cubs worked out Saturday. "I take a lot of swings. I user a heavier bat and work on strengthening the wrists. Maybe I'm a little old-school in that regard. I talked to these guys who played in years past and they didn't (weight lift) as much. They perfected their swing and there were some pretty good hitters back in the day."

Theriot said he didn't change much from his usual winter program in his home state of Louisiana.

It's not a surprise considering what he did before last season definitely did the trick.

For the first time in his big-league career Theriot knew he where he would be in the lineup every day. He played all 149 games at short in 2008 after playing five positions in 2007 and three in 2006.

With an open competition at second base between Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles in the coming weeks of spring training, Theriot, 29, is fully entrenched at short.

"It's a good feeling," he said. "I've always played wherever I was asked to play and its great to have that comfort level, but it doesn't change the way I approach anything."

For starters: Jeff Samardzija and Mitch Atkins are slated to throw 2 innings each Wednesday in the Cubs' exhibition opener against the Dodgers at HoHoKam Park.

Sean Marshall will start Thursday's game against the Brewers and Ted Lilly will go on Friday against Texas.

Lilly is scheduled to pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

Harden's behind: Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild says starter Rich Harden is probably a week or 10 days behind the rest of the pitchers. Harden, who has a history of arm and shoulder problems, has been throwing about 25 pitches in side sessions.

He'll have that bumped up to 40 before he begins throwing batting practice. Rothschild said he expects Harden to be ready for the season opener.

Caution with Carlos: Carlos Zambrano, who pitched a no-hitter last year but also had some shoulder problems, is close to being on his regular spring schedule. Rothschild said the Cubs will spread out Zambrano's appearances in exhibition games as a preventive measure to make sure his shoulder is strong.

Cashing in: Andrew Cashner, the team's top pick in last year's draft, was impressive while throwing to a hitting group that included Derrek Lee. The 22-year-old Cashner was the 19th pick overall out of TCU. He pitched in eight minor-league games last year and is a non-roster invitee.