Early playing time a juggling act for Joe Maddon and Dave Martinez

Dave Martinez has interviewed for managerial positions with the Cubs, Dodgers and Nationals, and manager Joe Maddon continues to give his longtime bench coach opportunities to gain experience.

Martinez, in his third season as the Cubs after serving under Maddon with the Rays, has the ominous task of mapping out playing time for his players during split-squad games on Saturday and a game on Sunday.

“It’s hard to handle two nine-inning games (on Saturday),” Maddon said Wednesday. “To have them play on Sunday is not a good idea. You have to really balance this out.”

Organizing playing time is very important because the Cubs don’t want to tax their veterans early in spring training after an extended postseason. But Major League Baseball advises teams to start at least four veteran position players in each game.

“There are so many moving parts that we’re trying to build those things to balance everyone out,” Maddon said. “Part of it is telling people in advance what days they’ll have off. So Davey is responsible for building the lineups.”

Maddon added, with a smile, “If you don’t like them, I’m not responsible.”

Rotation roundup: The competition for the fifth spot starts Saturday with Mike Montgomery facing the A’s at Sloan Park while Rob Zastryzny will face the Giants at Scottsdale.

Jake Buchanan will start against the Indians on Sunday at Mesa, followed by Brett Anderson against the White Sox at home Monday. Montgomery and Anderson are competing for the fifth spot, while Zastryzny and Buchanan are projected to start at Triple-A Iowa.

Time for kids: Every Cubs player and coach greeted nine patients from Advocate Children’s Hospital who traveled from Chicago to attend Wednesday’s workout.

“I know it made their day,” Maddon said. “It made the day of their families. I love the way our players reacted, and it adds to balance and perspective.

“The kids are awesome. It’s tough they have to be here under those circumstances. But it’s wonderful. And I thought it went over very well.”

Short work: The Cubs’ workout Thursday will be brief because of the team’s annual spring golf tournament, and Friday’s workout also will end early because of a rally at Sloan Park.

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