MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) -- Cubs left-hander Jon Lester struggled in his first Cactus League start of the spring.
Lester went one-plus inning, allowing five runs on three hits and two walks against the Rockies at Sloan Park on Tuesday afternoon. Three of the five runs he allowed were earned.
Afterward, the 36-year-old Lester was unconcerned.
"I pitch until they tell me not to," Lester said about his short outing. "I was supposed to get up to about 30 pitches. That is all I know."
It appears Cubs manager David Ross is leaning toward right-hander Yu Darvish as his Opening Day starter, an honor that Lester has had the past three years and four of his five seasons in Chicago. Lester is content to slot into the rotation wherever Ross wants him.
"I don't know who is starting where," Lester said. "Today was my turn, and that is it. A lot can happen in a month. When Rossy sits us down when it's time, we will have that answer. I do not have that answer right now. I really don't care as long as I have a spot. I will pitch wherever they tell me to pitch. Whatever day they tell me to pitch, I will be there and do the best I can."
Lester's attitude stems from the fact that he has nothing to prove to the baseball world in spring training. All he cares about is getting his work in and staying healthy, and he accomplished both of those goals Tuesday.
Lester is coming off a season in which he had a 4.46 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 31 starts.
"So far, I physically feel better than last year," Lester said. "I felt fine today. You always look for good results, but today was not that day. We now move on to the next one."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
