Mark Prior

Do not be surprised tomorrow night by an announcement that Mark Prior will be starting the season in Iowa. His first two spring performances have indicated that Prior may need a little more time to get back into shape.

Today Prior threw two innings, getting out of the fourth without any damage, but giving up four runs in the fifth. Overall, Prior allowed three walks and four hits, including a solo homer by Kansas City centerfielder David DeJesus, who is not considered a long ball threat.

Piniella has shown that he likes to make decisions early. He has already told Ryan Theriot that he is headed to Cincinnati in April. He also told Rich Hill that he has earned a rotation spot. Prior will likely be told early not to expect to start the season in the Cub rotation, especially when Wade Miller is pitching like a fifth starter and Neal Cotts has not been a total embarrassment.

Prior on the other hand ended, the day with an 18.90 ERA. The sad part is, that is an improvement. He started the day with an ERA over 20.00.

So, if we consider that Piniella has stated he wants twelve pitchers on the roster, we are likely looking at Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly (who pitched okay today), Jason Marquis, Hill and Miller in the rotation. In the bullpen, expect to see Ryan Dempster, Scott Eyre, Bobby Howry, Kerry Wood, Neal Cotts, Wil Ohman and one more right hander. The hot prospects for that spot include Rocky Cherry, Angel Guzman (who also pitched okay today), Roberto Novoa, Michael Wuertz and non-roster invitees Jason Anderson and Ryan O’Malley. Each of these either has experience (Novoa and Wuertz) or is having a good spring (Cherry and Guzman).

Despite Piniella’s wanting to make decisions early, this choice may take us right up to the loading of the plane.

There are fewer decisions on the field to be made. The big question is whether Floyd will start the year on the disabled list. If so, Pagan will make the team. If not, it is still hard to say who will be player number twenty-five.