Cubs tell Zambrano to stay home rest of season
There was nothing surprising in Friday's news about pitcher Carlos Zambrano.
The Cubs announced that Zambrano would not be back with the team this season but that he would resume being paid when his 30-day suspension ends after Sept. 11.
Zambrano was placed on the disqualified list after walking out on the team and indicating he was going to retire from baseball following a poor start at Atlanta on Aug. 12.
In a statement, the Cubs said the length of the suspension and when it ends leave “insufficient preparation time for Zambrano to pitch again this season. Zambrano has filed a grievance through the players association, but that process won't be complete until sometime in the off-season.
Cubs officials did not provide further comment, but manager Mike Quade was asked about the situation before Friday's game against the Pirates.
“It was a disappointing situation,” Quade said. “We'll let things take their course now. Let's see where the grievance situation goes and how all this plays out. But they've made decisions, and that's where we're at.
“He still has something to offer, and his numbers would bear that out.”
Zambrano was 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA this season. He spent the middle of last year on the restricted list and in anger-management training following a dugout tirade during a game against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
When he returned, he went 8-0 with a 1.41 ERA. So Zambrano was 17-7 after coming back to the Cubs last year and ending with his latest suspension.
If he is through as a Cub, and it appears that he is, Zambrano finishes with a record of 125-81 (. 607) winning percentage and a 3.60 ERA.
But there was little sympathy from either team officials or even former teammates for his latest perceived transgression.
“Obviously, it just saddens me,” said teammate and friend Carlos Pena. “In the limited time I've been here, I've worked to build a friendship with him. I'm very saddened with how difficult the situation has been, not only for us, but for him. I think we should focus on the good stuff he has done for this ballclub.”
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