Rothschild says Zambrano just trying too hard
Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild reiterated Tuesday that he believes there's nothing wrong physically or mechanically with troubled ace Carlos Zambrano.
Zambrano has lost 5 starts in a row, not winning since July 29.
"It's not much mechanical," Rothschild said. "If you watch the early innings in a game, he's as good as it's going to get. I think, really, it's an oversimplification, but he's trying to do too much. Every pitch is life and death. It's hard to perform like that no matter how good you are."
Rothschild will do his normal work with Zambrano before his next start, Saturday in Pittsburgh.
"He probably needs to back off a little bit and just get back to doing what he does best," Rothschild said. "If anything, he's overthrowing."
After Zambrano lasted just 4½ innings in Monday's 11-3 loss to the Dodgers, manager Lou Piniella maintained that he thought Zambrano had good stuff and that he probably lost something while running through a stop sign and third base and getting thrown out at home.
"I thought he was throwing the ball very well yesterday, and it sort of came unglued after that run though the streets of Pamplona," Piniella said, laughing. "I think it tired him out. Anyway, that's behind us. Let's just concentrate on the future and get him back to where he was.''
He left the subject of mechanics to Rothschild but praised Zambrano's apology for criticizing Cubs fans Monday.
"I think he's had enough meetings today," Piniella said. "But I'm proud of the fact he did apologize. Everybody is entitled to make a mistake. And we'll turn a new page. And Larry and I, our jobs are to get this guy back to where he was in June and July and we'll do everything we can.
"I mentioned yesterday after the game I have the utmost confidence that he will. So, we'll sit and talk to him tomorrow."'
Disciplinary move: The Cubs optioned outfielder Eric Patterson to Class AA Tennessee on Tuesday, one day after Patterson showed up late at the ballpark.
According to general manager Jim Hendry, it's not the first time the problem has arisen with the 24-year-old Patterson.
"Obviously, he made a mistake," Hendry said. "It wasn't the first time this year, either here or in the system. I just felt like I was going to do what's best for the organization.
"He's a good young player. He's a good kid. He's got a ability. He'll have a heck of a chance to make the ballclub next year. I didn't think it was something to look upon lightly."
"It's a privilege to be called up from the minor-league system in September in the middle of a pennant race. I basically decided to make the switch. … It's a tough lesson learned."
Patterson spent two stints with the Cubs, going 2-for-8 with a double in eight games. He played most of the year at Class AAA Iowa.
Happy moves: To replace Eric Patterson on the expanded roster, the Cubs selected outfielder Sam Fuld from Class AA Tennessee. They also selected right-handed pitcher Kevin Hart from Tennessee and recalled left-handed reliever Carmen Pignatiello from Class AAA Iowa.
Fuld, 25, batted 287 with a .376 on-base percentage at Tennessee. He had 50 walks and just 43 strikeouts. The Cubs took him in the 10th round of the 2004 draft.
The Cubs will use Fuld in pinch-running situations and perhaps as a defensive replacement.
Hart, 24, came to the Cubs last December in a trade with Baltimore for infielder Freddie Bynum. He was a combined 12-6 with a 3.99 ERA between Tennessee and Iowa this year.