Anderson (1-0) was tagged for six runs on eight hits while striking out five over 3.2 innings but escaped with a no-decision in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

He threw 42 of 60 pitches for strikes, but too many of the left-hander's pitches got more of the plate than he wanted, as six of the Brewers' eight hits against him went for extra bases. Anderson's next start will come Monday on the road in Pittsburgh.

Anderson (1-0) pitched five shutout innings with two strikeouts during Thursday's 4-0 win over Los Angeles.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson likely got a bit lucky Thursday, as he escaped some danger and allowed seven base runners (three hits and four walks). The veteran has never been a strong source of strikeouts, but with a 0.84 ERA and potent lineup supporting him, he's in position to take a run at double-digit wins. Additionally, Anderson entered Thursday's outing with a career 58.1 ground-ball percentage, so Chicago's talented infield will also help his case.

Anderson pitched 5.2 innings, and gave up just five hits and an earned run in Friday's loss to the Brewers. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson ended up recording a no-decision, as the Cubs lost in 11 innings. It was a good team debut for the lefty, who battled Mike Montgomery for the No. 5 rotation spot during spring training. The talent has always been there for Anderson, but staying healthy has been the challenge. He's scheduled to face the Dodgers on Wednesday in his next start.

Anderson will start the year in the rotation and pitch the fourth game of the year April 7 in Milwaukee, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson was competing for the fifth spot this spring, but he will pitch fourth so he and fellow lefty Jon Lester, the team's No. 1 starter, don't go back-to-back. The decision means Mike Montgomery will start the year in the bullpen.

Barring a setback in the next two weeks, Anderson is expected to begin the season as the Cubs' No. 5 starter, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson hasn't been great this spring, but he still figures to begin the year in the rotation, which would push Mike Montgomery into a long-relief/spot-starter role. The decision is perhaps by default, as Anderson does not have experience as a reliever, while Montgomery excelled in a relief role last season, including getting the save in Game 7 of the World Series. Cubs manager Joe Maddon has said he may take a "hybrid" approach that occasionally uses a sixth starter.

Anderson gave up three runs on three hits while striking out three and walking one in a long relief appearance against the Royals on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs have used Anderson and Mike Montgomery on the same day in each of their last three appearances, while Anderson was deployed as the starter on March 14 and Montgomery took the ball to begin Sunday's game. While manager Joe Maddon has suggested that Anderson may share the No. 5 starter job with Montgomery to begin the season, Eddie Butler has impressed this spring, and may be at the ready to take over the role if the tandem plan fails due to ineffectiveness or injury. Anderson has a 7.15 ERA and 1.76 WHIP though 11.1 innings this spring, and he's surrendered at least two runs in each of his last four appearances.

Manager Joe Maddon said that Anderson could share the fifth spot in the rotation with Mike Montgomery, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's somewhat surprising news, considering the two left-handers have been competing for the final rotation spot throughout camp. Maddon says he's considering the move because neither pitcher has reached the 200 inning plateau in a season yet. Anderson, in particular, missed a majority of last season with wrist and finger injuries and has been inconsistent throughout his career as a starter. It's a move that would obviously decrease his fantasy value, so the situation is worth monitoring.

Anderson will start Monday's spring training game against the White Sox, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson's health has often prevented him from cashing in on his once elite talent. He's set to compete with fellow left-hander Mike Montgomery, among others, for the No. 5 rotation spot and could be of fantasy service in mixed leagues if he can hold it sometime this season.

Anderson 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.

EDGE Analysis

Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey aren't expected to pitch until the second week of games, but Anderson and Mike Montgomery 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 being the season.

Anderson feels that he is fully recovered from a bulging disk in his lower back that cost him most of the 2016 season, the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The back injury limited Anderson to just four games last season, and he acknowledged that another serious back injury could end his career. For the moment, Anderson is healthy and competing with Mike Montgomery for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. The talent has always been there for Anderson, but he's only reached 100 innings once in the last six seasons due to a variety of injuries.