Versatile Marshall gives Cubs whatever they need

MESA, Ariz. - Just call him the "good soldier."

Need a guy to go from the starting rotation to the bullpen? Sean Marshall's your man.

Need a spot start, sometimes on a moment's notice? Invoke the Marshall plan.

The 27-year-old lefty has done it all, most of it pretty well, since coming to the big leagues in 2006. He's done it without complaint, too, including a couple of stints in the minor leagues.

While it's good to be the good soldier, playing that part can get a guy passed over for more plum jobs. But it all seems OK with Marshall.

"It's a good thing," he said Thursday. "I've really worked to do different roles in the last couple of years to help the team win some games. I'm happy to do that. I've dealt with some adversity, going to the bullpen for long relief, short relief, occasional starts, and I think it's been good for me.

"Whatever role I find myself into later in my career, I think I'll be ready for anything that comes up."

Marshall finished last year 3-7 with a 4.32 ERA in 55 games, 9 starts. He hit a rough patch in August, with a 9.53 ERA for the month, but overall, the year was a good one.

It was pretty much in line with his career, which began in 2006 when he made 24 starts. The Cubs began using him in a dual role the next year, and on many occasions, Marshall saved the day.

"He's been valuable in that he can go back and forth between the bullpen and starting," said pitching coach Larry Rothschild. "I think it might have caught up with him a little bit last year in August, but for two years before that, he did a pretty good job at it. He's gotten better command of his fastball, which is going to be important for him. He's got a real good curveball, which I think everybody knows. And he's working on establishing a changeup."

Marshall will use a split-finger grip on the new change. However, it's the curve that has been his money pitch coming out of the pen.

"I throw a pretty good breaking ball," he said. "It kind of starts at the left-handed hitters and goes down to the right-handed hitter. Last year, I was pretty effective throwing that for strikes, even a few in the dirt for strikeouts when I had the chance.

"I feel strong. I feel really strong when I come into a game. I can go for one inning as hard as I can."

This spring, Marshall is in the mix to gain one of the two open rotation spots. He'll battle lefty Tom Gorzelanny and right-handers Carlos Silva and Jeff Samardzija.

"Yeah, I like starting," he said. "I like knowing I'm pitching every five days and being able to prepare myself to do that. The chance to win some games and be the person who gets the ball at the beginning of the game, I like that. I also like coming into a game situation and getting a couple people out to save the game.

"But I really enjoy starting because that's what I've done my whole career until the last couple of years, when I've done both, relieving and starting. But as long as I'm up here with the Cubs and to have a chance to win the World Series, I'm all for it."

Rothschild said he can see Marshall in the rotation this season. Manager Lou Piniella pointed out that the Cactus League season and the team's needs will sort things out.

"He's pitched well out of both roles," Piniella said. "He's going to get a chance to start. We'll see where it goes."

Marshall makes his home in Chicago in the off-season. Over the winter, he signed a new one year deal with the Cubs to avoid salary arbitration.

"I like being given the opportunity to succeed," he said. "The Cubs have always been on good terms with me, and I've always done whatever I can to help them out. This is my (fifth) season in the big leagues, and hopefully, we can make this one the best one yet.

"Time flies when you're having fun."

<div class="infoBox">

<h1>More Coverage</h1>

<div class="infoBoxContent">

<div class="infoArea">

<h2>Photo Galleries</h2>

<ul class="gallery">

<li><a href="/story/?id=362036">Images from Cubs training camp, Feb. 25 </a></li>

</ul>

</div>

</div>

</div>