Manager Jim Essian plans to stick with his four-man rotation at least until Danny Jackson and Rick Sutcliffe return, but he`s done some tinkering to open the second half.
The Cubs` revised rotation features Greg Maddux in the No. 1 spot, followed by rookie Frank Castillo, who was impressive in his first three outings. Next comes Les Lancaster, who`s 2-2 as a starter, and then Mike Bielecki, 5-3 when he starts.
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The rotation experienced a bit of a resurgence in the last four games. Each pitcher lasted at least seven innings, the first time this season that four Cubs starters have done that in succession. That helps keep the bullpen rested.
”If our starters can go that long, we`re going to have a chance to win every night,” Bielecki said. ”When we`re down by a run, you know our hitters have a chance to tie a game in a hurry.”
Essian will have to do another juggling act when Jackson and Sutcliffe return, possibly by the end of the month. Sutcliffe pitched Wednesday night in Kenosha, Wis., for the Cubs` Class A Peoria affiliate. Then he`s probably headed to Triple-A Iowa for at least one more start to rehabilitate his shoulder.
Refresher course: The Cubs staged a closed workout Wednesday at Wrigley Field, with mandatory attendance for everyone but All-Stars Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg and George Bell. Essian planned to go over some of the fundamentals the club has botched in the first half, as well as take batting practice.
Dawson seemed surprised that the club would go over ground covered in spring training. ”I don`t know if working on it accomplishes a great deal,” he said. ”You try to make adjustments and learn from mistakes. But experience is the most important thing.”