Cubs rotation deep despite the lack of true ace

MESA, Ariz. (AP) - The Chicago Cubs should have enough depth in their starting rotation to make up for the lack of a true ace.

Manager Dale Sveum says the Cubs will have "five pretty good starters'' to start the season one way or another.

The top three seem set with Jeff Samardzija, Matt Garza and Edwin Jackson, one of four newcomers.

Scott Feldman won 17 games for Texas four years ago, Carlos Villanueva has been a starter and reliever, and Scott Baker has a 63-48 career record. Baker will miss the start of the season after elbow surgery that forced him to miss all of 2012 for Minnesota.

Left-hander Travis Hood had 14 quality starts and stayed in the Cubs rotation throughout after his first start in May.