Sean Marshall closes in on No. 5 starter job

Sean Marshall is making it difficult for Cubs manager Lou Piniella to conceal his choice for his fifth starter.

The left-hander gave up an unearned run in 41/3 innings of the Cubs' 8-1, split-squad win over a Seattle Mariners split squad on Friday in Mesa, Ariz.

It's going to be tough for Aaron Heilman and Jeff Samardzija to keep up with Marshall, while Chad Gaudin essentially pitched himself out of contention when he gave up 6 earned runs in 12/3 innings the Cubs split-squad game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Marshall dropped his ERA to 0.68 with the Cubs' longest outing by a pitcher this spring. He allowed 3 hits, a walk and struck out three.

Angels 8, Cubs 2: Kendry Morales hit a grand slam for his first homer of spring training, and the Los Angeles Angels beat a Cubs split squad in Tempe, Ariz.

Morales' slam came in the third inning off Cubs starter Chad Gaudin, who worked 12/3 innings and allowed 6 earned runs in his third start. In his last outing, he worked 2 scoreless against Kansas City on March 9.

Cubs invite German to camp: The Cubs have signed infielder Esteban German to a minor-league contract with an invitation to the big-league camp. German was granted free agency by the Kansas City Royals on March 9 after clearing waivers. Manager Lou Piniella says the Cubs have been looking for another infielder, and the 31-year-old is ready to play because he was in Kansas City's camp. The Cubs want an infielder who can back up third baseman Aramis Ramirez.