Is Carlos Zambrano facing strike three?

Carlos Zambrano's return to the Cubs' starting rotation Monday may result in redemption for the big right-hander.

But the motivation on the team's part is necessity. The Cubs are down a body in the rotation, and Zambrano fits the bill.

However it turns out will be important down the road, both for Zambrano and the Cubs.

Manager Lou Piniella announced Wednesday that Zambrano will start Monday night in San Francisco. It will be the 29-year-old right-hander's first start since June 25, when a dugout tirade at U.S. Cellular Field landed him a suspension and into treatment for anger-management issues.

This will be Zambrano's third foray into the rotation this season. He was the opening-day starter but was sent to the pen in late April, ostensibly to strengthen a young relief corps.

After an unhappy stint as a reliever, Zambrano went back into the rotation in early June, and he stayed there until berating his teammates after giving up 4 runs to the White Sox in the first inning of the now-infamous June 25 start.

So it's either the third time is a charm or Zambrano's on his third strike.

Whatever, the Cubs need Zambrano because they traded Ted Lilly to the Dodgers last week, and Carlos Silva went on the disabled list Monday with heart-related issues.

The rotation now consists of Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Randy Wells, Tom Gorzelanny and rookie Thomas Diamond.

Zambrano seemed to know what faces him.

"I feel good," he said. "It's time to do some work, man, believe me. Like I said before, I've been hard on myself and I've been dedicated this last month to come back and be the best again, be one of the top in the National League. I'm working on that. Hopefully, everything comes through, and I pitch good."

Zambrano threw 53 pitches Sunday in a 2-inning relief appearance at Colorado. He pitched 1 inning out of the bullpen Wednesday.

The zip looks to be back on his fastball.

"Very good," he said of the way he feels. "It's not the same when you can challenge people with 95 (mph) than with 89. When you throw 95, when you throw 96, you have a little advantage. My arm feels good. My body feels good. I lost a little more weight, and I think that will help me."

He also seemed to have a greater sense of appreciation of being able to pitch in the major leagues.

"Sometimes you don't know what you have until you lose it," he said. "When you lose it, you realize that you have something good with your career and your life. And I don't want to lose this opportunity. I just want to take advantage and be prepared and be ready for these last two months.

"I just want to pitch here. I just want to be happy in Chicago. I just want the people to be happy. The way to do that is pitch good."

Having said that, Zambrano was asked if he wanted to remain a Cub. His five-year, $91.5 million contract runs through 2012, and it contains a no-trade clause. Last week, he indicated he'd consent to be traded if the Cubs wanted to move him.

That remains to be seen, but on Wednesday, he expressed a preference for staying in Chicago.

"I come with a mission and never quit," he said. "For me to be traded is like quitting. I love this city. I think this city deserves to watch a game in the World Series. This city, these fans, deserve to celebrate with us the championship. That is what I'm here for. There are some good players who come to the Cubs, and sooner or later, we want to win. That's why we're here, to win to do the best that we can to put on a good show and to win. This city needs it. This city is special."