Levine: Jon Lester Not Concerned About Opening Day Start

By Bruce Levine--

MESA, Ariz. (CBS) -- Chicago Cubs fans should be happy to know that Jon Lester insists nothing is wrong with his left arm after missing a start Saturday with dead arm syndrome. The team's new $155-million ace, Lester calmed down the worry by declaring himself pain-free. The declaration came despite taking a few days off to rest his arm.

"I have no concern," Lester said about his April 5 Opening Day assignment. "The dead arm comes usually earlier rather than later in spring."

Lester admitted he has had the dead arm almost every year without exception.

"In the past it's been earlier in the year thing," he said. "I can get back to throwing soon and expect to make my next start on Thursday. There is no pain, no discomfort. It is not pain -- more like a total body dead feeling."

The Cubs and Lester are sure there's enough time to build up arm strength and pitch counts with two weeks left until the season opener.

"Today I have some work to do," Lester said. "I imagine everything will be fine for Thursday. It's not a big deal."

Lester said he had never missed a spring start before.

"This is not a surprise for most pitchers," he said. "I have never missed a start. It's nothing to be concerned about. No worries on my end. Like Joe (Maddon) said, if this was during the season, would not have missed a start."

Since his first complete season in the major leagues in 2008, Lester has never made fewer than 31 starts in any year.

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