On Monday, Chicago Cubs starter/reliever Carlos Zambrano threw a
73-pitch simulated game in the bullpen at Wrigley Field. This logically suggests Zambrano will be inserted back into the rotation. Manager Lou Piniella said that Big Z's first start would be on the road which means he'll likely toss in the Pittsburgh series which starts next Monday. But with Zambrano's move back to the rotation, the Cubs are going to have to do some juggling with their arms. Unfortunately, from a statistically standpoint, no Cubs starter -- with the exception of Zambrano -- has done poorly this season. Tom Gorzelanny would be the most likely candidate but he sports a 3.09 ERA and the team already has plenty of left-handed arms in the pen. Also of note, third basemen Aramis Ramirez may be spending more time on the pine upcoming as he deals with an injured left hand -- and the fact that he simply hasn’t hit this year (.160 BA).
