Cashner on fast track toward 8th-inning duty

[JCM]

He's been in the big leagues for only six days, but the time the Cubs face the White Sox next weekend Andrew Cashner could be the eighth-inning setup man they haven't had since making Carlos Marmol the closer last summer.

''I'd like to get him one more nice tightener in the middle part of the game,'' manager Lou Piniella said, ''like we did [Friday] night, in the sixth or seventh inning, and then look to put him toward the tail end of the ballgame.


''If we can get to the point where we have Cashner from the right side and [Sean] Marshall from the left, it'll be a nice situation for us in the eighth inning.''

Cashner made his second big-league appearance Friday night -- his first being that one-pitch effort Monday -- and pitched a scoreless seventh, allowing a single and striking out Carlos Lee.

''He threw the ball very well,'' said Piniella, who wants the right-hander to tighten up his slider with pitching coach Larry Rothschild. ''He's got a good frame, a good arm obviously. He's got some intensity about him. He's going to be a fine pitcher; it's just a matter of not rushing him too quick.''

Said Cashner of the eighth-inning role: ''I'm not really trying to think about that too much. I haven't been told anything. Whenever they tell me to get loose, I just get ready and try to get guys out.''

CUBS IN BRIEF: Cashner on fast track toward 8th-inning duty :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Cubs

 

[waldo7239117]

Rotation would be better but is is a start.

 

[JCM]

yes, i want to see him in the rotation instead of the pen.

 

[waldo7239117]

He should take Wells spot who has not pitched great recent, getting hit so eaisly.

 

[JCM]

yeah.

 

[JustinTCB]

Cashner will be a starter eventually, and might even get a start or two later in the season.

For now I have to say I love watching him pitch. He reminds me a lot of Kerry Wood with that fastball and facial hair.

I'm a huge fan.

 

[waldo7239117]

Oh yeah, I am alos a big fan of him and loves to watch him when he comes in. He does look Wood with the facial hair and does have a fastball.

 

[USCChiFan]

For now I'm fine w/ him and his live arm as the set-up man. But his future is as a starter

 

[zwentland]

Just saw Cashner pitch today and I'm pretty impressed. I would like to see more of him in the bullpen because theres no need to move anyone out of the rotation.