The Chicago Cubs bullpen is a bit taxed, after a few short outings this past week, and manager Lou Piniella is considering adding starter Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen for the next couple of days before his Friday start.
Manager Lou Piniella raised that possibility for the second consecutive night after another rough finish for a bullpen that has been worked hard lately – in large part because of Zambrano’s early exit Saturday because of lower- back stiffness.
”He’s got till Friday,” Piniella said of Zambrano’s anticipated fitness for his next scheduled start, ”unless we put him in the bullpen for a couple of days. We might need him there in Cincinnati.”
Said Zambrano, when told of Piniella’s comments: ”I’m not a reliever.” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
Ironic that Lou is considering changing Zambrano’s role temporarily because he didn’t pitch many innings the last time out. You know, when he left injured. If this were late September or the playoffs, it would be one thing. But please, Lou. Please don’t mess with Zambrano’s rest and role.