Levine: Jake Arrieta Passes Final Test Prior To Opening Day

By Bruce Levine--

MESA, Ariz. (CBS) -- Passing both the physical and medical portions of a test Tuesday in his final spring training start, Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta should be good to go for Opening Day against the Angels on Monday.

After being pulled after just 34 pitches last Thursday because of a blister on his right thumb, Arrieta allowed just two hits and one run in five innings in picking up the victory Tuesday. He also showed no ill effects from the skin abrasion as he fired 102 pitches in his final tune-up.

After throwing 248 innings last year between the regular season and playoffs, Arrieta was working slowly and steadily toward the new season before the hiccup last week.

"The blister is good," Arrieta said. "It was nice to get that pitch count up high. Today I got to throw all my stuff. I got to pitch through some struggles with my command. I was off a little bit timing wise. I was really able to make some good adjustments. I pitched inside on lefties pretty well. A couple of walks but threw some nice change-ups. I want to sharpen up a couple of things. I like where I am going into our first game."

Arrieta was being eased into his first start by facing minor leaguers up until his outing against San Francisco last week. The pitch count, rather than the blister, was manager Joe Maddon's main concern as Arrieta prepared for the regular season.

"Jake is fine," Maddon said. "The biggest thing about him was to not over-extend him in spring training. That, we believe, is the threat sometimes. So we said don't over-extend him here, get him right. I wanted him to be well and ready by the start of the season. I have all the confidence in the world Jake is ready to go. We will monitor Jake and all of the guys to not overextend them too soon. He is definitely ready to pitch on opening day."

The blister was remedied by the medical staff during the previous four days.

"It has been OK," Arrieta said. "We really stayed on top of it, making sure it doesn't open up. It's really a non-issue."

The expectations now can go back on the field, where the Cubs enter the season as World Series favorites.

"We don't pay much attention to it," Arrieta said about the expectations. "We have our own expectations for ourselves. Within the team, we know everybody expects big things from us. We do as well. We don't harp too much on that. We know the most important thing to do is be healthy once the season starts. We know we have some big shoes to fill this year, based on what we were able to do last year. I believe we can do that pretty well."

Arrieta was asked about his personal goals after having a Cy Young-winning season in 2015.

"Pitching deep into each game is a big goal of mine," Arrieta said. "Also giving our guys a chance to win every time I am out there is a big goal of mine as well it is for the rest of our starters. Make every start and be healthy, be ready for a long push at the end of the season."

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