Apparently, Piniella didn't want to send Zambrano into a pout after Zambrano said he wanted the ball on Opening Day. Piniella acknowledged that Dempster expressed disappointment at not getting the nod, but Dempster said he never expected the Opening Day start in the first place and that he's fine with going in Game 2. Zambrano will be making his fifth consecutive Opening Day start. He has yet to post a win.

As far as the rest of the rotation goes, Ted Lilly will start the third game in Houston, with Rich Harden going in the series opener at Milwaukee. Off days in the early schedule will enable Piniella to skip his fifth starter, something he's indicated he'll do.

Left-hander Sean Marshall has the inside track on the fifth starter's spot, with right-hander Aaron Heilman making a strong bid. If the No. 5 spot does get skipped, Piniella can use either Marshall or Heilman out of the bullpen. Marshall was a swingman last year, and the Cubs were happy with his relief work. Heilman was exclusively a reliever for the Mets over the past three seasons.

Marshall lowered his Cactus League ERA to 0.69 on March 13 with four scoreless innings against the Mariners. Right-hander Chad Gaudin, once a serious contender for the fifth spot, was roughed up the same day by the Angels, and his ERA rose to 10.38.