Zambrano's return to rotation getting closer

The way the Cubs see it, they'll get Carlos Zambrano back in the rotation next week and then worry about the way it sets up from there.

Zambrano, the opening-day starter who was exiled to the bullpen late last month, pitched a simulated game Monday, throwing 73 pitches.

Manager Lou Piniella said Tuesday that Zambrano would be available for "short" bullpen duty Thursday before going back into the rotation, most likely in Pittsburgh next week.

"He threw the ball very easy," Piniella said. "He used all his pitches. He's ready to go. Velocity was good. He worked on his split-finger, on his breaking ball, using his cutter. He had a nice workout."

Of course, when Zambrano comes back, one of the five current starters will have to go to the bullpen. Speculation has centered on lefty Tom Gorzelanny, but the Cubs aren't saying.

"We don't have to until next week," Piniella said. "We don't have to concern ourselves with it until next week. We've got some days off coming up. It'll be a fairly smooth transition."

Zambrano proclaimed himself ready to go.

"I felt good," he said. "My sinker was working. I think I'm ready to go. I'm ready for anything. This is the big leagues. Guys in the big leagues have to be able to do anything they ask for.

"It's not that I've been on the DL or suspended or anything. I've been in the bullpen. I've been pitching to major-league hitters. I've been active."

Zambrano went to the bullpen in late April, when Ted Lilly came off the disabled list. Although he pitched well of late as a reliever, he never seemed happy or comfortable in that role.

The Cubs brass seems to think that Zambrano is "stretched out" enough to start and that a short-relief appearance or 2 later this homestand will serve as the equivalent of a session of throwing on the side between starts.

General manager Jim Hendry expressed no worries about having six starters for five spots when Zambrano comes back.

"Whoever goes out of the rotation I'm sure will end up getting back in at some time," Hendry said. "That's the way the game is.

"It's nice to have six starters. I'm not worrying about anything but trying to win games and get back to .500 (and improving from there). You've got to perform. If we get back in this thing and start closing the gap, then guess what? You pitch the people that deserve to pitch."