Cubs' Mike Montgomery: Will pitch in first week of games

Montgomery will pitch in the team's first week of spring training games as he competes for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, MLB.com reports.

Analysis:

Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey aren't expected to pitch until the second week of games, but Montgomery and Brett Anderson are slated to pitch when Cactus League play begins on Saturday. The two lefties are battling for the final spot in the rotation, with the loser of the competition likely ticketed for a long relief role to begin the season.