Jon Lester To Miss A Start With Left Arm Fatigue

By Bruce Levine--

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- Cubs ace left-hander Jon Lester has been scratched from his start Saturday with left arm fatigue. This comes after Lester wasn't himself Tuesday, when he surrendered seven runs in 3 1/3 innings against the Padres.

Chicago manager Joe Maddon said at this point, he isn' concerned that Lester will miss more than one spring start. If his arm strength does not return in five days, the Cubs may have to re-evaluate their rotation to open the season.

"More than likely, he will not miss more than one start," Maddon said prior to a Cactus League game against the White Sox on Friday. "We don't think he has any pain, so he will take a couple of days off. I checked him with him this morning, and he said he felt great. We just want to back off on him a little bit right now."

Maddon expects Lester to throw in between now and his next outing, which would be essential to getting his proper work in. Lester has had dead arm before in his career, Maddon said. Many pitchers do get a dead arm feeling in spring training as they build up their pitch count and arm strength for the new season.

Lester signed the richest contract in Cubs history last December when he signed a $155-million over six years.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.