According to Doug Padilla of ESPN Chicago, the Chicago Cubs have named former Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver RHP Jeff Samardzija as the team's No. 3 starter entering the 2012 season. Samardzija, who pitched out of relief in the 2011 season, beat out last year's starter RHP Randy Wells, who was reassigned to Triple-A on Thursday.
Starting for the first time since 2010, the 27-year-old Samardzija greets the new baseball year with eager anticipation:
"You don’t know how many of these opporutniries you’re going to get to start," Samardzija said. "Once you become a reliever and have success, a lot of times that’s where you end up for your career. I really wanted to give this a full head of steam, a full shot and go from there. I’m excited for the season and I can’t wait."
The Cubs begin the 2012 MLB season next Thursday when they welcome the Washington Nationals to Wrigley Field.
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