Jon Lester Set to Make Cactus League Debut Monday for Cubs

The Chicago Cubs will bring out their big guns in spring training beginning on Monday, as pitcher Jon Lester will take the hill for the first time in Cactus League action.

Lester, who went 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA last season for the Cubs, is the first regular team starter to get the ball this preseason, after Jen-Ho Tseng and Tyler Chatwood were slotted to start the first two Cactus League games for the North Siders.

The Chicago Cubs warm up prior to practice on February 14 in Arizona.

The Cubs will pitch Yu Darvish on Tuesday in his first spring training action, and will send Cole Hamels to the mound for Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona.

Kyle Hendricks will get the ball on Thursday for the Cubs, and Jose Quintana will finish off the work week on Friday when he faces the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River in Scottsdale.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon was mum on whether the current rotation is the one that he will use during the regular season, but it is possible, as it features alternating left-and-right handed starters through the five games.

Several courageous Cubs fans and their families are about to take the trip of a lifetime. The team is sending them on an all-expense paid trip to spring training in Mesa, Arizona. NBC five’s LeeAnn Trotter has their special surprise.