(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange)  Jerome Williams was assumed to be the fourth pitcher on the Cubs staff heading into the season.

But when rookie Sean Marshall experienced a red-hot spring (no runs on three hits in 10 1/3 innings) the Cubs began to rethink things. Williams (1-3, 8.00 ERA) faces Arizona on Thursday and Marshall faces San Diego in Las Vegas on Friday. A decision likely will come after that.

Ordinarily, there isn't much of a difference between the fourth and fifth pitchers in a rotation, but this year the Cubs won't use a fifth man until April 15. Williams, who was 6-8 with a 3.91 ERA for the Cubs last year, could open the season as the long man if the rookie southpaw gets the job at No. 4.

"I've got to pitch well in order to be in that rotation," Williams said. "The rotation's not set. It's all depending on myself if I'm in the rotation or not.

"It's there. Sometimes the ball doesn't break as much. You get that over here (in Arizona). I know my ball will be moving how I want it to be and I'll be pitching better. Just take this last start and move on and keep on rolling."

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NOTES

 --RHP Kerry Wood will face hitters for the first time this spring when he throws batting practice before the Cubs-San Diego game in Las Vegas on Friday. After that, the Cubs could begin accelerating his rehab. The team hopes he will be ready in late April or early May.

--OF Michael Restovich was reassigned to minor league camp Wednesday, which leaves the team with 14 position players on the roster. Rookie OF Angel Pagan and rookie INF Ryan Theriot appear to have survived the cut unless the Cubs make a deal.

--LHP Rich Hill was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Hill was one of the candidates -- and the only one of the four with major league experience -- for the fifth starting job, but it appears LHP Sean Marshall won that derby.

--RHP Roberto Novoa pitched two-thirds of an inning against Seattle on Tuesday after missing most of spring training with Valley Fever, a lung infection. Novoa is in the mix for the final spot in the bullpen, but because of his lengthy setback, he likely will open the season at Triple-A Iowa.

--RHP Scott Williamson pitched a third of an inning against Seattle on Tuesday, two days after leaving a game against Arizona with a slight back injury.

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