Cubs' Jake Arrieta Prefers Rest In All-Star Game But Is Ready If Needed

By Bruce Levine--

SAN DIEGO (CBS) Cubs ace Jake Arrieta has asked for a timeout.

Arrieta on has told National League manager Terry Collins of the Mets he's ready to pitch in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night but would prefer to rest if at all possible.

Arrieta has begun to show the wear and tear of throwing 363 innings since the start of 2015, postseason included. He's thrown 114 1/3 innings in the first half of this season.

"I told Terry, 'Hey, if I'm needed, I'm in 100 percent,'" Arrieta said. "But also, if there's other guys that want to get in the game, I'd enjoy a day off also. I told him, 'Either way, if something comes up, if you need me to go, I'm ready to pitch.'"

Arrieta hasn't been his usual dominant self of late, allowing 15 earned runs in his past 16 1/3 innings across three starts. As he tries to regain his top form, Arrieta believes extended rest over this All-Star break would help.

The conversation he had Tuesday was about being the best he can be for the Cubs in the last 74 regular-season games and the playoffs.

Arrieta will pitch at the end of the Cubs rotation when the second half starts up Friday.

"Have the opportunity to get a couple extra days off in preparation for my first start (out of the break), being able to throw two sides before I get back on the mound again is something I would like to do," Arrieta said Tuesday afternoon. "And it's just an opportunity to be able to take the extra day and get back on the mound and be ready to go."

Arrieta is as well-conditioned a pitcher as there is in the game but could use the mental rest in addition to the physical rest.

"One extra inning in the All-Star Game isn't going to hurt anything, but it's a day, if I were to get it off and shut it down and not do anything ... that's a benefit as well."

Arrieta started the season 9-0 but is 3-4 since early June.

"Pitching in an All-Star Game is special, but being here with my family is my biggest takeaway," Arrieta said. "Being around the guys I play against all year, I can have some personal time with them. That is what this experience is all about. Getting to the end here drained and physically getting a break is also nice."

There are 14 pitchers on the NL roster, including Arrieta.

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