CHICAGO – Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija is entering uncharted territory in his first full season as a starter.

Samardzija has thrown more innings in the first half than he did in any of his previous four seasons as a reliever. His 101 1/3 innings pitched also leads all Cubs starters. It has forced manager Dale Sveum and the Cubs to be more cautious with the 27-year-old right hander. Samardzija doesn’t make his first start of the second half until Wednesday to ensure he gets maximum rest.

Samardzija rebounded in his past two starts after a rough June when he posted a 0-5 record and 10.41 ERA. Sveum credited his turnaround to regaining command of his split-finger fastball.