Jon Lester

Cubs' Jon Lester struggles during three-inning appearance on Friday

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester struggled during a three-inning appearance in an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, according to NBC Sports' Gordon Wittenmyer.

What It Means:

Lester was expected to be the third man in the Cubs starting rotation, but that is up in the air now. Lester spent his time during the shutdown on weight-room work instead of bullpen work and is now behind the other projected starters. Manager David Ross refused to comment on where Lester will fall in his rotation plans or how the rotation will shape up behind Opening Day starter Kyle Hendricks and Yu Darvish. If Lester is moved down the starting order, look for one of Tyler Chatwood or Alec Mills to move into the third spot in the Cubs' rotation.

numberFire's models project Lester for a 4.73 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 54 strikeouts, 18 walks, and 4 wins in 59 1/3 innings pitched this season.