Zambrano Will Apologize To Teammates Friday In Colorado

Via tweet from cubs.com’s Carrie Muskat:

Carlos Zambrano on schedule to join #Cubs Friday in Denver and will meet with players pregame

Cubs Make Zambrano 'Available' In Trade

Via tweet from ESPN’s Buster Olney:

Heard this: The Cubs have made it clear to other teams that they are ready to move Carlos Zambrano, if anyone is interested. #trades

Of course, there’s the matter of nearly $42 million left on Z’s contract to consider. The Cubs would have to eat a lot of it or take someone else’s bad deal in return. SB Nation Chicago suggested a swap of Z to the White Sox for Jake Peavy, which would give the Sox a pitcher they need, who could be handled by his manager, in exchange for Peavy’s risk of never pitching again.

As always, we await developments.

VIDEO: Big Z's Apology

Zambrano To Have 'At Least One More' Outing For Iowa

Paul Sullivan says it’s “one more outing”, then back to the team:

Carlos Zambrano will throw one more outing for Triple-A Iowa before returning from the restricted list next weekend in Colorado.

“We thought all along it would be in the Colorado series,” manager Lou Piniella said. “And it looks that way.”

At cubs.com, Carrie Muskat says it might be more:

Zambrano has been on the restricted list since June 29 following his dugout tantrum June 25 at U.S. Cellular Field. He will make at least one more outing with Iowa, then is expected to rejoin the Cubs at the end of the week in Colorado.

Zambrano threw two scoreless innings on Saturday; he might make another appearance for Iowa at Round Rock tonight. The Iowa Cubs fly to Albuquerque for a series starting Tuesday; from there it’d be a short hop for Z to fly on to Denver to meet the major league squad this weekend.

Zambrano Must Apologize To Cubs Teammates Before Return In Colorado

Carlos Zambrano will be given the chance to apologize to his teammates before facing the media on his return to the team:

“I think it’s more important for him to clear that hurdle first,” Piniella said of the apology. “And once he does that, then talk to the media. I think that’s the right approach from him…We’re just going to let him talk to the team, whatever he wants to say. Whenever he gets here, we’ll have a little meeting and let Carlos say what he needs to say.”

Piniella has not spoken to Zambrano, and neither have his most of teammates, with the exception of Ted Lilly.

Zambrano still will undergo anger-management sessions at various times the rest of the season, sources said, and the Cubs remain extra cautious about his comeback.

Zambrano is expected to make one or two more appearances for Triple-A Iowa before joining the Cubs in Denver for their series against the Rockies, which begins Friday, July 30.

Carlos Zambrano Expected To Rejoin Cubs On Monday's Road Trip

Lou Piniella expects Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano to return to the team beginning with Monday’s roadtrip after being placed on the restricted list following an in-game spat between himself and Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee on June 25.

Piniella made the announcement before Friday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, saying he believes that a return on the road as opposed to at Wrigley will be easier for Zambrano.

“We talked about [it being easier for Zambrano to return on the road],” Piniella said Friday before the Cubs opened a series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. "I think that [would] probably be a little easier.

“But at the same time, when he gets home, there will be a big media presence.”

Piniella also discussed Zambrano’s first outing for the Iowa Cubs, the team’s Triple-A affiliate, on Thursday.

“He threw the ball OK,” Piniella said. "The velocity is in the 91 to 92 mph range, and he competed, but he could use more work. “He hasn’t been out there in three weeks or so, that’s a long time. I think you get the rust off him first and then he can start getting ready strength-wise to pitch the way he’s capable of. Let’s not put too much into the few first appearances. It’s been a while for him.”

Z's Appearance Likely In Relief

Via Dave van Dyck at the Tribune:

Iowa manager Ryne Sandberg said he expects Zambrano to throw three times — each most likely limited to one or two innings — as he begins his comeback to the Cubs after his suspension and counseling for anger management.

Zambrano Throws For Cubs Rookie League Club in Mesa

Via tweet from cubs.com’s Carrie Muskat:

#Cubs Carlos Zambrano struck out one in one inning for the Mesa Rookie League team Monday night. Next stop, Triple-A Iowa

Here’s the boxscore from the game; Z faced Royals rookie league hitters in the second inning of a 2-1 loss. Reliever Jeff Gray, who has also pitched for the major league Cubs this season, started the game and also threw a scoreless inning.

Zambrano To Make Two Starts For Iowa This Week

Via tweet from cubs.com’s Carrie Muskat:

Expect #Cubs Carlos Zambrano to pitch for Triple-A Iowa Wed or Thu; he also will pitch in Round Rock this weekend before rejoining team

Zambrano Will Have Iowa Assignment Of 'At Least One Week'

USA Today reports that Z’s rehab assignment will begin after tomorrow:

Suspended Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano will throw a simulated game at the club’s Mesa, Arizona facility Monday and then report to Class AAA Iowa to begin a rehabilitation assignment of at least one week.

Manager Lou Piniella said it’s unlikely Zambrano will rejoin the big-league club on this homestand, which ends next Sunday. “He has missed alot. I would think (it would be) some time on the roadtrip,” he said, of the timing of Zambrano’s return.

General manager Jim Hendry said Cubs’ pitching coach Larry Rothschild and staff will evaluate how many minor-league appearances Zambrano needs after Monday’s simulated game workout.

ESPN’s Bruce Levine quotes GM Jim Hendry on the situation:

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said he was most concerned about Zambrano overextending himself upon his return.

“You want to make sure that you’re sharp and you’re ready when you get up here,” Hendry said. “The health of the player is important. You don’t rush it along, because when you get him up here he’ll be over-amped a little bit. You have to prepare him for that.”

REPORT: Zambrano To Throw For Iowa This Week

Multiple media reports out of Des Moines say that Carlos Zambrano will pitch at least one game for the Iowa Cubs this week.

Des Moines Register:

Carlos Zambrano will start his minor league rehab in Des Moines, Iowa Cubs officials said Saturday.

He is expected to be with the team during Tuesday’s doubleheader against Oklahoma City that starts at 5 p.m. at Principal Park. Whether he pitches Tuesday, or during Wednesday’s 7 p.m. game, also at Principal Park, is uncertain.

KCCi-TV:

Iowa Cubs team sources say they are expecting Carlos Zambrano to pitch for the I-Cubs this week. He’ll take the mound at Principal Park against Oklahoma City on either Tuesdays or Wednesday.

There is no confirmation of this from either the Iowa Cubs or Chicago Cubs officially — yet.

Carlos Zambrano Completes Therapy

Carlos Zambrano has completed his mandated anger management therapy and threw 25 pitches today in Mesa, Bruce Levine reports. The Cubs are unsure of Zambrano’s return date, but will sit down with the pitcher to establish it soon.

Zambrano May Not Return Until August

From MSNBC.com, quoting a Paul Sullivan Tribune article that was mostly on other topics:

The Cubs haven’t said much on the topic, but Big Z is not yet throwing and might not be done with his anger management therapy. “We’re still in limbo,” manager Lou Piniella said Thursday. Zambrano was suspended indefinitely by the club after going on a tirade in the dugout in late June.

It doesn’t seem likely that Z will return before the end of July, and it’s still possible that management is working on a trade that could send him elsewhere before he ever puts on a Cubs uniform again.

Zambrano Throwing 'On His Own'

MLB.com reports that Z has begun throwing on his own but is not on any sort of official program nor timetable:

“We can’t do anything until the people who are looking at it give us the OK,” Piniella said. “Larry’s got a contingent plan made, assuming we get the OK soon.”

Zambrano was examined by doctors assigned by Major League Baseball and the Players Association. He was in Chicago to undergo treatment. Piniella said Zambrano has been throwing. When the Cubs get the go-ahead, expect the right-hander to go to Mesa, Ariz., and workout at the team’s facility there.

“He can play catch,” Piniella said. “He’s been throwing. But we’re talking about on an assignment program.”

Zambrano wasn’t supposed to return until after the All-Star break, but that’s now less than a week away. We await developments.

Zambrano To Begin Workouts Soon

MLB.com reports Z will begin a throwing program:

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said before Monday’s game at Chase Field that he expects pitcher Carlos Zambrano to begin working out and throwing this week, but he’s not sure when the volatile right-hander will be reactivated.

Piniella also couldn’t say when and where Zambrano even will begin working out, only that the team would be putting together a program for him.

“We’ll have some details for you tomorrow,” Piniella said shortly before the Cubs opened a three-game series against the D-backs.

Z isn’t expected back before the All-Star break; when Lou has details, we’ll post them here.

Zambrano Expected To Go To Minors Upon Return

ESPN Chicago’s Jeff Dickerson reports that, when Carlos Zambrano is ready to return to action with the Cubs, he’ll likely be sent to make one or several rehab appearances in the minors. The report is based on manager Lou Piniella’s remarking that, “I would think he would need a little work somewhere, yeah. But that subject hasn’t been brought up yet.”

Whether he stays with the Cubs or moves on, Zambrano is looking at a veritable lost season. To date, he’s made only nine starts and pitched a total of 55.2 innings.

A Psychiatrist's View Of Carlos Zambrano

The Chicago Sun-Times spoke to sports psychiatrist Dr. Robert Burton, who had these thoughts about Carlos Zambrano’s situation:

Burton said emotions often are part of an athlete’s makeup.

‘’Athletes use their emotion to fuel their performance,’’ he said. ’’Each preferably has an optimal state you try to achieve, but it also requires him to manage it in a setting that is best for the team.

‘’And in a team sport, the important part is also getting along with the team. There’s obviously a dynamic on the team that allows for certain behavior — but gross outbursts [like fights] aren’t going to be well received.

’’It’s a good idea to let him be away from the team for a while.’’

Zambrano may still need to be traded for the team’s — and his — own good, but now he will be able to get help so he can channel those emotions into his performance rather than angry tirades.

MLB Tonight's Kevin Millar On Zambrano

On MLB Tonight on the MLB Network Monday evening, analyst Kevin Millar — who was in spring training camp with the Cubs this year — had this to say about Carlos Zambrano’s suspension and what might come next:

I think he wants to heal the situation, whether he remains a Chicago Cub or not. Who knows if the wounds are too deep? Who knows? That’s Jim Hendry’s job. But see this is the problem: we give huge contracts to players and now we think ‘Oh, that equals leadership,’ or, “If a guy’s doing well, that equals leadership.’ That’s not the case. You create these monsters through organizations and Carlos Zambrano’s Carlos Zambrano. I think they knew this was an intense guy, I think they knew this guy who dances to a different beat at times, but he’s not a bad human being by any means.

Carlos Zambrano Placed On Restricted List, Out Until After All-Star

The altercation between Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano and first baseman Derrek Lee last week has led to the pitcher being placed on the restricted list according to Chicago Breaking Sports.

Carlos Zambrano will be placed on the restricted list, undergo a treatment program for his anger issues and will not return to the team until after the All-Star break, the Cubs said Monday.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry spoke to representatives from Major League Baseball and the players union on Monday, and also spoke to Zambrano and his agent.

Zambrano’s indefinite suspension will be limited to three games, ending after Monday night’s game. He will be placed on the restricted list Tuesday.

“I think we all agree it’s time he got help and address apologies later,” Hendry said. “He will not meet formally or travel with the team before the (All-Star) break.”

Reliever Jeff Stevens will rejoin the team Wednesday.

Zambrano Decision Expected Soon

Paul Sullivan says a decision on Carlos Zambrano’s status may come soon:

“Probably a four- or five-game suspension would suffice,” he said. “As much attention as the incident received in Chicago, you really can’t justify a suspension of more than that for acting like a goof and arguing with a teammate.”

Zambrano already has served two games of the suspension. General manager Jim Hendry said he expects to hear from Major League Baseball and the players union today or Tuesday on how long the indefinite suspension can last.

There is one further option the Cubs have, as Sullivan writes:

The Cubs’ chances of putting Zambrano on the restricted list - where he wouldn’t be paid or credited with service time - appears slim. The Cubs would be able to call someone up from the minors to replace Zambrano if he was on the restricted list, but will have to play one man short as long as he’s on the suspended list.

Zambrano Blames Derrek Lee For Friday's Incident

Gordon Wittenmyer’s Sun-Times article claims Zambrano told friends it was Lee’s fault:

Zambrano already is calling his actions Friday ‘’completely misunderstood’’ and blaming Derrek Lee for turning it into a big deal by confronting him during his ranting and raving after the White Sox’ four-run first inning.

‘’All he wanted to do was pump the team up. It was completely misunderstood,’’ a source close to Zambrano said, adding that Lee ‘’took it personal’’ and told Zambrano to ‘’shut the f—- up.’’

Yet team sources say Zambrano’s rant – much of which was in Spanish – included yelling, ‘’This team is horse s—- !’’

That’s when Lee is caught on camera intervening and telling Zambrano to shut up.

They had to be separated.

Zambrano Tirade May Lead To New Cubs Management: Rob Neyer Of ESPN

ESPN.com’s Rob Neyer sums it all up:

Seems to me that while Zambrano’s obviously got some anger issues, the Cubs also have some management issues. Their general manager keeps committing gobs of money to players who can’t control their tempers, and their manager just throws up his hands and makes jokes.

None of it matters much, this season. But I’ll bet next spring we see an “Under New Management” sign.

Before next spring, probably.

Zambrano Suspended By Cubs After Behavior Explosion

Via tweet from Carrie Muskat:

Carlos Zambrano has been suspended indefinitely by the #Cubs. Says GM Jim Hendry: “We’ll play with 24 before we tolerate that behavior”

Another tweet from Carrie:

#Cubs Carlos Zambrano has reportedly left US Cellular but not without shouting obscenities at Chicago TV camera crews

Zambrano may have played his final game in a Cubs uniform.

White Sox Defeat Cubs 6-0 After Hot Start

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – Carlos Quentin’s three-run homer in the first inning set Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano into a frenzy, while Jake Peavy and the White Sox continued to roll with a 6-0 decision to reach 10 straight wins for the first time in over 34 years.

The last time the Sox won 10 straight was May 18-26, 1976. They have won 14 of 15 overall, their lone loss in that span coming to the Cubs on June 13 in the finale of a three-game set at Wrigley Field.

Peavy (7-5), fresh off his first shutout since 2005, struck out nine and allowed just three hits and two walks in seven shutout innings. The former National League Cy Young Award winner has won three straight starts, all coming against the Senior Circuit.

Gordon Beckham hit a solo homer and a sacrifice fly for the ChiSox, who improved their major-league best interleague record to 14-2.

Zambrano (3-6), coming off seven innings of one-run ball against the Angels on Sunday, had the shortest outing of his career as a starter, allowing four runs on four hits in a first inning that ended with the volatile right-hander enraged in the dugout.

Carlos Zambrano And Derrek Lee Separated In Dugout Altercation

Carlos Zambrano had a tough first inning in the Cubs-White Sox game and seemed to take it out on teammate Derrek Lee afterward.

Bruce Levine from ESPN Chicago has the report.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano had to be separated from teammate Derrek Lee in the visitor’s dugout after surrendering four runs to the Chicago White Sox in the bottom of the first inning Friday at U.S. Cellular Field.

It was unclear what upset Zambrano, but his frustration was directed at Lee. The two were face to face before manager Lou Piniella and others intervened.

Tom Gorzelanny replaced Zambrano in the top of the second.

Cubs Activate Ramirez, Designate Tracy For Assignment

Via tweet from David Kaplan:

Cubs activate Aramis Ramirez and designate Chad Tracy for assignment ramirez bats fifth today and is at 3rd.

White Sox Put Nine-Game Winning Streak On Line Against Cubs

(Sports Network) - It has been over 34 years since the White Sox last won 10 straight games. All they have to do Friday to match that run is claim a victory over the last team to beat them.

Jake Peavy will look to build off his first shutout in nearly five years this afternoon when the Pale Hose play host to their Windy City neighbors, the Cubs, in the opener of a three-game set at U.S. Cellular Field.

Interleague play has helped the White Sox shoot up the American League Central standings. Their current nine-game winning streak, the club's first of that length since June 15-24, 2006, has them just 2 1/2 games back of the first- place Twins and has improved the White Sox record this year versus the NL to 13-2.

The White Sox have also won 13 of their last 14 games, with the lone loss in that span coming to the Cubs on June 13 in the finale of a three-game set at Wrigley Field. That loss snapped the White Sox's five-game winning streak against the Cubs.

The Pale Hose, though, swept Pittsburgh, Washington and Atlanta each in three games after that set with the Cubs, finishing off the Braves with Thursday's 2-0 victory to put themselves into position to win 10 straight for the first time since May 18-26, 1976.

Paul Konerko made his team a winner when he blasted a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning to break a scoreless game, while starter Gavin Floyd threw seven innings of two-hit ball in a no-decision.

"It came out of nowhere, we weren't playing great baseball all year. We started playing well against Detroit [from June 8-10] and I think the Cubs series kicked us into gear and we've been off and running since then," Konerko said. "It's not going to last forever, but you just try and ride it out."

The White Sox, who have also won each of their last five home games overall and have bested the Cubs in five of the last six meetings at U.S. Cellular Field, have a collective 2.28 earned run average over their winning streak and Peavy has been a big part of that.

The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner has won two straight and three of his last four starts, including a three-hit shutout of the Nationals on Saturday. Peavy walked two and struck out seven, retiring 20 straight at one point in his first shutout since Aug. 23, 2005 while with the Padres.

"It doesn't work out often where you get to throw a complete game. And then when you throw a complete game and give up no runs, it just doesn't happen very often in today's world," Peavy said. "Things just worked out today."

The 29-year-old righty kept Washington off the board despite having his start pushed back two days due to a sore right shoulder and improved to 6-5 with a 5.07 ERA. Peavy, though, has a 1.57 ERA over his last three starts and he beat the Cubs on June 11 with seven innings of two-run ball. That improved him to 4-2 lifetime against the Cubs with a 2.72 ERA in nine starts.

The Cubs have lost five of nine since their victory over the White Sox and they narrowly avoided a three-game sweep at the hands of the Mariners with Thursday's 3-2 victory in 13 innings.

Marlon Byrd plated the go-ahead run with a single off Seattle reliever Sean White for just the Cubs' fourth run in the series.

Ted Lilly, who threw eight innings of one-hit ball in a victory over the Floyd and the White Sox on June 13, held the Mariners to a run over six innings.

Carlos Zambrano did not face the White Sox at home in mid-June and is 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA in four starts since being reinserted back into the rotation.

The right-hander bested the Angels his last time out on Sunday, hurling a season-high-tying seven innings of one-run ball. He also struck out seven in the 12-1 triumph that improved him to 3-5 with a 5.10 ERA in 21 games this year, eight of those starts.

"He had better velocity," Piniella said of Zambrano on the Cubs' website. "He had good movement. He used his breaking ball a lot more than the last three games. He used enough split-fingers. The breaking ball came more into play than it had in prior games. He becomes a three-pitch pitcher and can get you out as opposed to [just] throwing fastballs."

In 13 career meetings with the White Sox, 11 of those starts, Zambrano is 5-3 with a 4.56 ERA.

Zambrano may have third baseman Aramis Ramirez backing him up in the field today. Ramirez has been on the disabled list since June 9 due to a left thumb contusion and is batting just .168 in 47 games this year with five homers, 22 RBI and 45 strikeouts.