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CHICAGO — Hoping to shore up a depleting disabled list, the Chicago Cubs acquired 37-year-old Jon Lieber to bolster a group of pitchers that has become increasingly less injured since 2007.

In 2007, the Cubs had only four pitchers finish the season with at least 100 days on the disabled list, sparking Cubs general manager Jim Hendry to seek help in the free agent market.

"We're trying to get as much volume as we can, depth-wise, on the disabled list to make it more competitive in camp," Hendry said Wednesday while announcing the deal that installs Lieber into the Cubs disabled list in a one-year, $3.5 million deal. "We're trying to accumulate as many quality injury-plagued pitchers as we can. We think he adds a lot to our club’s decommissioned outlook."

Lieber gives the Cubs a much-needed injury veteran, who should help younger pitchers learn the ins and outs of long-term muscle damage. He will join the Cubs' list of opening day disabled list candidates that includes Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Rich Hill, Jason Marquis, Ryan Dempster, Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher and Kevin Hart.

Many in the Cubs organization expect Lieber to emerge as the frontrunner for an opening day disabled list start.

“You look at a guy like Lieber, and he’s the only pitcher on the team that has achieved multiple debilitating injuries in his career,” said Cubs manager Lou Piniella.

Lieber had elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2002 and was bothered by a groin problem with the Phillies in 2006. Last year, his season ended on June 20 because of the foot injury. All experience he hopes to bring into the Cubs young organization.

"I'll do whatever it takes to help the Chicago Cubs," Lieber said Wednesday. “I'm more prepared to rupture a rotator cuff or strain an oblique this year.”

Last season, the Cubs felt they had enough arms to fill out the disabled list. Mark Prior, Wade Miller and Angel Guzman were able to contribute, but the Cubs had counted on Sean Marshall and Carlos Zambrano to fill a void in the disabled list left by a healthy Kerry Wood and quick-healing Ryan Dempster. This season, without Prior and Miller to shoulder the load, the Cubs may need Lieber to be in mid-season injury form by opening day.

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