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The Cubs' Carlos Zambrano hasn't pitched competitively since being removed from the team in August following a post-game tirade, but he's apparently suiting up in his native Venezuela this winter.
The Chicago Cubs will be sending someone to Venezuela along with Carlos Zambrano to watch the pitcher as he debuts for Caribes of the Venezuelan Winter League according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. The 30-year-old hasn't appeared in a game since Aug. 12, right before he was placed on the disqualified list for his actions after that game.
He spent 30 days on the restricted list, going unpaid, before spending the rest of the season away from the team. He's going to his native Venezuela to tune up for the spring, and it's unsurprising that the Cubs want someone from the organization there to keep tabs on him.
Zambrano completed a 40-pitch outing to gear up for his Sunday debut, when he's expected to start for Caribes. The Cubs are likely going to make an aggressive effort to trade the highly paid pitcher this winter.
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It's been a while since anyone has seen the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano pitch competitively, but the locals of Puerta La Cruz, Venezuela, will be treated to such things this winter. According to Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago, Zambrano plans to pitch for Caribes de Anzoategui in the Venezuelan Winter League as he prepares to pitch in the majors again next season.
Zambrano, 30, hasn't pitched since August 12, the day he was put on the disqualified list by the Cubs. That followed a post-game clubhouse tirade during which he cleared out his locker and told Cubs employees that he was retiring. He isn't expected to return to Chicago next year, as the Cubs seek out ways to rid themselves of the mercurial right-handed pitcher.
On Tuesday, new President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein mentioned that he planned to speak with Zambrano soon, and presumably one of his first tasks with the Cubs will be to figure out this situation. Zambrano's owed nearly $18 million for 2012 and has a no-trade clause, so the team's trade partners will presumably be pretty limited. Chicago will likely have to eat a significant portion of his contract in order to trade him, but a strong showing in his native Venezuela will presumably make things a tad easier.
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Chicago Cubs Pitcher Carlos Zambrano Hit In Face By Line Drive
The Chicago Cubs got some surprising news on Friday night when word came out Venezuela that pitcher Carlos Zambrano was hit by a line drive during a winter league game:
Click for animation.
Zambrano received 18 stitches on his chin, but hopes to return to winter ball action within the month. After catching the liner with his chin, Big Z alertly grabbed the ball an threw to first for the out.
The Cubs pitcher finished the season on suspension from the team after he was ejected from a game against the Atlanta Braves on August 12, cleaning out his locker and reportedly telling Cubs personnel he was retiring.
The Cubs are weighing their options with Zambrano, uncertain whether to trade him -- if they can -- or try to see if he can have a comeback season and produce some value for the Cubs in 2012.
Zambrano will be owed $18M in 2012 and will be 31 in June. In 2011, Zambrano started in only 24 games, sporting a near-career-worst 4.82 ERA and 4.59 FIP.
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Nov 19 8:56p by Bradley Woodrum