Arrieta (thumb) is set to throw a bullpen Sunday and make his final start of spring training Tuesday, Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arrieta has been dealing with a blister on his pitching thumb of late, but he told reporters that it's a non-issue moving forward. Provided that his bullpen and exhibition appearances go off without a hitch, Arrieta should be ready to take the mound as the Cubs' Opening Day starter.

Arrieta (thumb) plans to throw a bullpen session Saturday and says his thumb is fine, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arrieta went as far to say "It's good, we're good. No one is dying," so the blister is likely a non-factor going forward. He soaked the thumb in Neosporin Thursday night and will proceed with his normal schedule.

Arrieta (thumb) says he expects to make his next spring training start despite a blister, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arrieta chalked up the dry Arizona air to the blister. As long as he remembers to moisturize going forward, this shouldn't be a lingering issue.

Arrieta left Thursday's game with a blister on his thumb, Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

The blister is considered to be minor according to a team official. As such, Arrieta should have no problem getting all his work in for the rest of spring training, but we'll keep an eye on his status.

Arrieta's next start will be Saturday in a minor league game, the Cubs' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs want Arrieta to pitch at least game this spring in a controlled setting. That said, he's been so good in his two appearances that he could probably control any setting he wants. He's given up just two hits and has struck out nine in six innings.

Arrieta pitched two scoreless innings against the Indians on Wednesday, striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

You don't need us to tell you that Arrieta is one of the best pitchers in the league, but he was dominant Wednesday in his first appearance of the spring.

Arrieta and the Cubs are discussing a contract extension this spring, the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Last year's Cy Young winner has two years left on his contract, but the Cubs would love to lock him up now before he hits the market.

Manager Joe Maddon officially named Arrieta the Cubs' Opening Day starter Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

There wasn't much drama in this decision, not with Arrieta going 22-6 and posting a 1.77 ERA en route to winning the NL Cy Young Award last season. Arrieta's 2016 debut will come against an Angels team he has not faced since 2012.

The Cubs plan to ease Arrieta into games this spring after his heavy workload of 2015, the team's official site reports. He's already getting glowing reports from his manager and catcher, however, who say he is in "midseason form."

EDGE Analysis

Including the postseason, Arrieta threw nearly 250 innings last season after throwing a career-high 156.2 innings in 2014. Granted, his historic second-half run meant that many of those innings were of the non-stressful variety, but that's still a big jump.

Arrieta and the Cubs avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.7 million contract Friday night, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arrieta will receive a salary bump in excess of $7 million after winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2015. He will have one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining, and will have a good chance to top his 2016 salary if he is anywhere near as dominant as he was a year ago. Arrieta will head the Cubs' rotation this season, making him the odds on favorite to take the ball Opening Day.