THE RECAP

CUBS 6, ASTROS 6 (TIE)

JACKSON TUNEUP: The Cubs’ $52 million starter, Edwin Jackson, got knocked around early but struck out nine, including the last three batters he faced, in a four-inning tuneup for his Cubs debut Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Seven of the first 13 he faced reached base, including a hit batter and a walk to the first two in the game, but he retired the last six he faced. He threw 80 pitches.

LOOKING GOOD: Pitching in a game for the first time in eight days, reliever Kyuji Fujikawa wasn’t especially sharp, but he did strike out two of the four batters he faced, and nobody put the ball in play against him. Problem was, that included two walks. Manager Dale Sveum said the right-hander hadn’t pitched in a week because “we spaced it out, with him, [ Shawn] Camp and [ James] Russell” at the end of an especially long spring training. Fujikawa threw a 42-pitch bullpen session a few days ago.

CLAIM JUMPER: Righty Guillermo Moscoso, who was claimed a few days ago on waivers from Toronto, was immediately put on waivers again by the Cubs, cleared waivers and was outrighted off the 40-man roster. He’s expected to open the season with Class AAA Iowa.

ROSTER ISSUES: The 40-man spot vacated by Moscoso — which was created by putting pitcher Arodys Vizcaino on the 60-day disabled list — will be needed when non-roster utility man Brent Lillibridge is added to the Opening Day roster. That leaves one spot for non-roster reliever Hisanori Takahashi or a last-minute pickup from outside the organization. That likely will be created by putting pitcher Scott Baker (elbow) on the 60day DL.

ON DECK: Cubs at Astros, Minute Maid Park, 1:05 p.m., cubs.com audio, Travis Wood vs. Brad Peacock.