Cubs Epstein: Strasburg deal doesn't have impact on contracts

Cubs president Theo Epstein said Tuesday his team took notice of the seven-year, $175 million contract extension signed this week by Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg.

The Cubs have time, but at some point, they will have to address their own ace, Jake Arrieta, who can become a free agent after the 2017 season. Arrieta is 30 years old. Strasburg is 27.

"You pay attention to everything that goes on in the game," Epstein said. "It doesn't impact us too much. Obviously, it will impact markets, and we have to operate in markets. It is what it is."

The Cubs invested in free-agent pitching the past two winters, signing Jon Lester and John Lackey. Like Lester and Lackey, Arrieta, Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks all came from outside the organization.

"We've managed to put together really good pitching staffs last year and this year," Epstein said. "That's something that's going to be important for us to continue to do in the future. We spend a lot of time every day working on it, whether it's assessing guys who are going to be free agents or assessing trade targets or figuring out how to get the best out of the guys that we have.

"The one area we need to do a better job is developing starting options internally. That will happen in time. We have the evaluation processes in place and the pitching infrastructure to continue to build effective pitching staffs. We don't take that for granted."

Speaking of contract extensions, Epstein said none was imminent.

"Not with any or our players, nor with myself," he said. "Status quo."

Epstein is in the final season of his five-year deal.

Starting the road back:

Catcher Miguel Montero began a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday at Class AAA Iowa. Montero has been on the disabled list, effective April 25, with lower-back tightness.

"Just let him go play and see how he feels," said manager Joe Maddon. "It could be relatively quick. It could take a little time, just how his back feels. He needs to play to find that out. Before he left, just going through the regular stuff, he felt really good. The trainers were encouraged. Go play. Let us know how you feel. He hasn't been too far removed that he should be far off."

Benefiting from the rain:

According to Joe Maddon, Monday's rainout wasn't the worst thing in the world for the busy Cubs bullpen. The Cubs and Padres will play a day-night doubleheader Wednesday, and the Cubs are likely to call up a pitcher as the 26th man allowed for doubleheaders

"The rain was pretty good, actually," Maddon said. "I don't like rainouts. I don't like doubleheaders. I'm not into playing two. That rainout actually benefited the guys in the bullpen."