Samardzija to start Cubs' opener
Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza is ticketed to open the season on the disabled list.
Share This Story
MESA, Ariz. (AP)
Matt Garza will start the season on the disabled list because of an injured muscle in his side that is preventing the right-hander from throwing, and Jeff Samardzija will be the Opening Day starter for the Chicago Cubs.
Garza's batting-practice session was cut short on Feb. 17 because of the injured latissimus dorsi muscle. He rested 10 days and was in the second day of a throwing program on flat ground when he felt more tightness Saturday. He won't throw for the next week.
''I don't sit back and let things happen. I make them happen and keep pushing and going,'' Garza said Sunday.
''Now we know it is just time. The recovery rate I was on, everything felt great. It's the body's way of saying it is going to take a little more time. It's not a setback, more like I've come to the realization you can't out-mind your body.''
Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Garza will get two spring-training starts at most and will miss the first two weeks to a month of the season.
Samardzija will start at Pittsburgh on April 1. He was 9-13 with a 3.81 ERA last season. He had a 2.39 ERA in his last seven starts of 2012.
''He is a guy the players rally around because of his bulldog mentality when he is one the mound,'' Sveum said. ''It is a very obvious choice, really.''
Samardzija will be joined in the rotation by Travis Wood, Carlos Villanueva, Edwin Jackson and Scott Feldman.
A former star wide receiver at Notre Dame, Samardzija made his major league debut with the Cubs in 2008 but spent much of the next two seasons in the minors.
''I went through some humbling baseball experience in `09 and `10. It put a lot of things in perspective,'' Samardzija said. ''I'm excited. The best thing as an athlete is to see all your hard work lead to positive gains from it. You get some taste of success and you want to keep that rolling. That's where I am right now.''
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Sergio sorry for 'fried chicken' line
Sergio Garcia apologized to Tiger Woods for saying he would have ''fried chicken'' at... -
Long history of Tiger-Sergio squabble
The nearly 15-year squabble between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia has reached a new l... -
WWE looking to recruit cut NFL-ers
WWE looking to recruit wrestlers from NFL scrap heap. -
Cavaliers win NBA Draft lottery again
Nick Gilbert expects the Cleveland Cavaliers are through with it, and if so he sent t...
MLB Videos
Trout hits for cycle in 12-0 win
Posted: May 22, 2013
Mike Trout hit for his first career cycle as the Angels slammed the Mariners on ...
Mike Trout hit for his first career cycle as the Angels slammed the Mariners on ...
Cardinals hammer Padres
Posted: May 22, 2013
Daniel Descalso sounds off on the win and his first career grand slam.
Daniel Descalso sounds off on the win and his first career grand slam.
Twins dropped in the 10th
Posted: May 22, 2013
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire shares his thoughts after the tough 5-4 loss to Atl...
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire shares his thoughts after the tough 5-4 loss to Atl...
MLB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike New York Yankees Practice T-Shirt - Ash | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/606363/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike New York Yankees Practice T-Shirt - Ash |
| Majestic Detroit Tigers 2012 MLB American League Champions Clubhouse Locker Room T-Shirt - Navy Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/1064043/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1064000/ff_1064043_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Majestic Detroit Tigers 2012 MLB American League Champions Clubhouse Locker Room.. |
| Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room T-Shirt - Gray | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067359/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067359_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker R.. |
| Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room Pullover Hoodie - Steel | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067382/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067382_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker R.. |
| New Era San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room 39THIRTY Flex Hat - Charcoal/Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067785/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067785_xl.jpg&w=100 | 31.95 | New Era San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Ro.. |
| Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Glory T-Shirt - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1068294/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1068000/ff_1068294_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Glory T-Shirt - Bl.. |
| Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Batting Practice Performance Jersey - Black/Orange | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1068787/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1068000/ff_1068787_xl.jpg&w=100 | 94.95 | Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Batting Practice P.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.