Arrieta won't pitch Sunday, Montgomery to go instead

Right-hander Jake Arrieta will not pitch for the Cubs in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field.

Instead, Arrieta and the team will opt for him to throw a simulated game next Wednesday as he continues to recover from a right-hamstring injury he suffered on Labor Day.

Left-hander Mike Montgomery will start for Arrieta on Sunday.

Manager Joe Maddon also said Arrieta would pitch "deeper" into the playoff rotation, which indicates a Game 3 start against the Washington Nationals in the National League division series. Kyle Hendricks and Jon Lester are the probable starters for Games 1 and 2 in Washington, with the order to be determined. Lefty Jose Quintana could be in the mix for an early playoff start, as well.

At this point, Maddon said the Cubs feel confident Arrieta will be able to pitch in the NLDS.

Arrieta started Tuesday night in the Cubs' 8-7 loss at St. Louis. He lasted only 3 innings and admitted after the game that he has had to change things in his delivery because of the hamstring. It was Arrieta's second start since the injury. He worked 5 inning at Milwaukee on Sept. 21

"Whenever they want me to pitch," Arrieta said of the playoffs. "If it's Game 1 or 2, 3, it doesn't matter. I'm more than capable. This is more precautionary to allow a little more healing to take place.

"I probably jumped out there a little too quickly. But I wanted to be out there as soon as I could. I was able to go out there. A couple more days would have been nice. We were still in a spot where we needed to win some games, and I wanted to be out there and do anything I could to help that out."

Maddon said the discussion has been going on "the last couple days just primarily to give his leg more rest."