Zambrano drops by the Friendly Confines

Former Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano paid a visit to Wrigley Field before Friday's game.

Zambrano said hello to Cubs people and did his usual friendly sparring with the media. Now 33 and out of baseball, Zambrano looked to be in good physical shape. But could he still pitch?

"I don't think so," he said.

How about hitting?

"I think so, yeah," he answered enthusiastically. "I was telling one of the scouts that I was playing catch the other day, and I felt like I was throwing a rock."

Zambrano spent 11 seasons with the Cubs, from 2001-11. He put up a record of 125-81 with a 3.60 ERA. The Cubs traded him to the Marlins before the 2012 season, and he finished his career in Miami that year, going 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA.

"I miss Chicago, yes," he said. "When my kids get vacation from school, I ask them where they want to go on vacation, and they say Chicago. You can tell how thankful they are from being in Chicago and growing up here."

Zambrano had several tempestuous moments with the Cubs, including walking out on the team in 2011. As for the team's record since then, he takes no blame.

"It's not my fault," he said. "It's three years. It's not my fault."

Cubs call up Olt:

As expected, third baseman-first baseman Mike Olt was recalled from Class AAA Iowa. Olt spent the previous two days rehabbing with the Kane County Cougars after suffering a hamstring injury while with Iowa.

Olt hit 2 homers in two days to help the Cougars advance to the second round of the Midwest League playoffs.

He started the year with the Cubs and hit 12 home runs, but he also batted .139 with 84 strikeouts in 212 plate appearances. That prompted the Cubs to option him to Iowa in late July. He suffered a hamstring injury while at Iowa.

"I became more of a pull hitter when I was up here before, and that's not my game," he said. "The fact that I'm using the other field now helps contribute (to better results).

"Adversity makes me a stronger player, person. If anything, I've become a better baseball player and a better person from going through everything I went through."

Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Olt will get some playing time at first base. Chris Valaika has been filling in at first for Anthony Rizzo, who is out indefinitely with a back ailment.

This and that:

Catcher Welington Castillo was a late lineup scratch because of low-back tightness. John Baker started in place of Castillo. The Cubs are carrying three catchers, with Rafael Lopez with the team as a September call-up.

"I've been feeling like that for the last two weeks," said Castillo, who added he'd be ready to play Saturday. "Just a little tightness."