Epic Dean
04-21-2010, 05:23 PM
NEW YORK -- The Cubs have shaken up their rotation, sending workhorse Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen in order to make room for injured starter Ted Lilly. Zambrano will start his relief stint Friday, and Lilly is expected to start Saturday's game in Milwaukee.
Chicago manager Lou Piniella had to make a move because of Lilly's impending return from the effects of an arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder, and he felt Zambrano made the best fit for a number of reasons. The Cubs didn't want to move Carlos Silva into the bullpen because he's been on a hot streak, and southpaw Tom Gorzelanny wouldn't fit as well in relief.
"This makes all the sense in the world and I appreciate Carlos doing this," said Piniella of the decision. "It gives us some power at the end of the ballgame. With Zambrano and [Carlos] Marmol, it gives us some firepower."
Piniella met with Zambrano earlier in the day to deliver the news, and he said Zambrano was receptive to the decision. The right-hander has thrown 200 innings five times in his career, but he hasn't been able to do it since 2008. The 28-year-old hasn't posted a losing record since 2002, and he's notched a 106-70 record with a 3.56 career ERA.
Zambrano, a three-time All-Star, won 14 games or more in each season from 2004 through 2008.
Link (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100421&content_id=9468898&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)
This move has me :scratch:
Chicago manager Lou Piniella had to make a move because of Lilly's impending return from the effects of an arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder, and he felt Zambrano made the best fit for a number of reasons. The Cubs didn't want to move Carlos Silva into the bullpen because he's been on a hot streak, and southpaw Tom Gorzelanny wouldn't fit as well in relief.
"This makes all the sense in the world and I appreciate Carlos doing this," said Piniella of the decision. "It gives us some power at the end of the ballgame. With Zambrano and [Carlos] Marmol, it gives us some firepower."
Piniella met with Zambrano earlier in the day to deliver the news, and he said Zambrano was receptive to the decision. The right-hander has thrown 200 innings five times in his career, but he hasn't been able to do it since 2008. The 28-year-old hasn't posted a losing record since 2002, and he's notched a 106-70 record with a 3.56 career ERA.
Zambrano, a three-time All-Star, won 14 games or more in each season from 2004 through 2008.
Link (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100421&content_id=9468898&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)
This move has me :scratch: