Cubs may just wing it

As he was finishing up getting dressed following the Cubs' 4-3 victory over Houston on Saturday, Sean Marshall did a double take.

What in the world was all the commotion going on behind him?

It was reporters forming a mob scene around newly acquired pitcher Steve Trachsel, who was making his first comments as a Cub the second time around.

As it turns out, Marshall and a couple of other pitchers at the back of the rotation might be looking over their shoulders the final month of the season as they await to see the impact Trachsel's arrival will have on the starting rotation.

Even manager Lou Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild aren't exactly sure, despite spending Saturday morning trying to figure everything out.

The only thing they know for sure is that Trachsel will pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers either Tuesday or Wednesday.

"One thing we don't want to do is change everything around," Piniella said. "We've got to stay basically about as constant as we can and let these people pitch at normal times like they have.

"I'm not going to muddle everything up just to get a one-game matchup against anybody, whether it's the Cardinals or whomever. Right now it's a little muddled."

But one thing seems crystal clear: Piniella will move Marshall out of the rotation for at least the very short-term.

"I can't pitch six people; that's one thing I can't do," he said. "So we can skip Marshall one time, but then we've got to work from there."

Next time around it might be Rich Hill or Jason Marquis who ends up missing a start. But it's pretty clear Piniella plans on pitching Trachsel every fifth day the rest of the way.

"That really hasn't been said to me, but that's kind of what I expected," Trachsel said. "It wouldn't make much sense to trade for a starter -- that's all I do -- and have him go to the bullpen."

Piniella not only likes what Trachsel brings to the mound, he also likes the peace of mind of having six quality starters for the stretch run.

"We've been fortunate all summer that we've been able to stay healthy rotation-wise," he said. "We didn't have any type of experience at all in that sixth spot, so getting Trachsel is a very good move. Not only has he had experience pitching in pennant races, he's had a lot of success pitching at the big-league level, period."

Marquis, one of those who might be affected by the new arrival, prefers pitching with less rest rather than more, but that's not very likely with Trachsel in the mix.

"I'd like to pitch on three days rest if I could," Marquis said. "Obviously they brought Trachsel in for his veteran leadership and experience in the postseason.

"Whenever Lou calls on me and the other guys, I think we're willing to do whatever it takes to win."

Piniella says they've already proven themselves this season.

"The guys that I have here have all done a nice job," Piniella said. "You don't want to get to the point where somebody gets taken out of the rotation entirely when you get a new pitcher.

"At the same time, Trachsel has been through this type of experience before and experience at this time of the year is important."

As is finalizing the details of the rotation, something the Cubs skipper promises to do shortly.

"We've got the doubleheader against St. Louis (Sept. 15) coming up and we have to have people in place for that," he said. "We'll have this thing sorted out in the next few days."