Rothschild sees good things for Zambrano

PITTSBURGH - Carlos Zambrano had his game face on Tuesday, which means he wasn't talking about his return to the starting rotation, Wednesday night against the Pirates.

It will be Zambrano's first start since April 20, when he worked 6 innings of 6-hit, 2-run ball in a 4-0 loss at New York. After that, he went to the bullpen, and pitching coach Larry Rothschild said he sees good things.

"It looked like the last 3-4 times out, he got much more aggressive and more animated delivery wise, not personality wise," Rothschild said. "He let the ball go, and (had) a little better sense of purpose. Hopefully that carries over."

Rothschild was asked to explain what he meant by "animated."

"He was trying to pitch to spots and guiding the ball more," the coach said. "Actually his last 3 starts before we put him the bullpen were pretty good. If you go back when he was pitching well, there was a quickness to the delivery and a forcefulness to it."

Rothschild added that Zambrano has kept up his conditioning during his bullpen stint and that the time away from starting could help his velocity.

"Really, when his starting velocity comes over the last year and this year, the 4 starts, the velocity picked up after the first, second inning," Rothschild said. "A lot of good starters do that. It was noticeable."

Santo resting: Radio analyst and former Cubs third baseman Ron Santo was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital after Monday's game after not feeling good in general on a hot and humid afternoon.

The Cubs said he was much better Tuesday and could be ready to go home Wednesday. Dave Otto is scheduled to sub for Santo Wednesday and over the weekend in Houston.