Hendry: Big Z in 'pen 'makes us a better club'

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Monday the move of No. 1 starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen was about only one thing.

"Nothing's mysterious about it," Hendry said. "The bottom line is that at this particular time, it makes us a better club. We've been really blessed. Everybody in the rotation's throwing well. Z didn't throw poorly. All of a sudden, it just became a situation where (Carlos) Silva and (Tom) Gorzelanny had done well. Their arsenal isn't really conducive to going to the pen or getting up every night or every other night or two out of three.

"It has nothing to do with what he gets paid. There's no agenda at all except it was the best fit at the time, and I think we know now that's the truth. He's capable of doing it. It's a good thing."

Zambrano made his bullpen debut Saturday in Milwaukee, but he didn't talk with the media until Monday. He said he still envisions himself a starting pitcher.

"I'm not 'happy' happy about this decision, but I feel good," he said. "I feel good to help my team and to do everything to help us solve whatever the problem is."

The Cubs' bullpen had gotten hit hard, and management felt Zambrano would be best suited to work the eighth inning.

Just how long that lasts is uncertain.

"Obviously, long term in his career, he's going to be a starting pitcher, but it would be remiss for me to put a time frame on it," Hendry said.

Zambrano says it's his understanding the relief role is temporary, based on his talks with manager Lou Piniella.

"Yeah," he said. "That was what Lou said. That is what we agreed. They are looking for a setup man. This is what they told me. I don't think I will be too long in this role. I will be there to when they need me."

They really mean it: The interleague series between the Cubs and White Sox will be played for something called the BP Crosstown Cup, under sponsorship from BP. Whichever team wins more games of the six, or whichever team wins the final game to tie the series at 3-3, will win the cup.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella tried to sound enthused about this contrived competition.

"Well, it's ... it's something for the fans," Piniella said. "You know, if you win the series or you win the sixth game of the series and tie it, you keep the cup. You'd rather win a World Series trophy. There's nothing wrong ... it's something to play for and feel good about if you do win it."