Skip to main content

Cubs SP Jake Arrieta's blister casts doubt for Opening Day start

No decision has been made whether Jake Arrieta will be moved from his Opening Day start due to a blister.
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

Chicago Cubs ace and Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta has a blister, which could put his Opening Day start in jeopardy, manager Joe Maddon told reporters in spring training on Friday.

“Blisters can be funny,” Maddon said. “Right now, we haven’t called off the jam yet. But you want to look at it, I would say, after maybe another day or two [and] then try to make our best determination at that point.”

Arrieta is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. He is coming off a start where he surrendered five runs in 1/3 of an inning with 34 pitches.

2016 MLB season preview: Chicago Cubs

He is coming off a season in which he finished 22–6 with a 1.77 ERA in about 250 innings.

The Cubs will open the season against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 4.