3/29 Pitching probables

The Cubs’ rotation order is set. It’ll be Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Randy Wells, Carlos Silva and Tom Gorzelanny. No one will be skipped, unless the weather interrupts their plans. On Monday, Wells will make his next to last spring start. He’ll also pitch Saturday against the D-Backs at Chase Field in the last Cactus League game.

Gorzelanny will start on Tuesday and Zambrano, the Opening Day starter, will go Wednesday in the Cubs’ split squad game in Mesa vs. the Angels. Minor League pitchers will start the other split squad game against the Brewers. On Thursday, Silva will make his last start and Dempster will go three to four innings Friday vs. Arizona.

* Ted Lilly will throw 45 pitches on Tuesday in a Minor League at Fitch Park. He’ll then pitch every five days, and follow Tuesday’s outing with starts in which he goes 60, 75 and 90 pitches. That would put him on track to join the Cubs in about three weeks.

Where the left-hander will make those starts is yet to be determined. The Cubs would prefer someplace where the weather is nice.

– Carrie Muskat