Zambrano leaves Cubs game with leg injury

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Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano left Sunday's game against Florida with a left hamstring strain after beating out a bunt to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Cubs said Zambrano would be evaluated for the next two days to determine the seriousness of the injury,but his next scheduled start on Friday in Houston is in question.

After beating out the bunt, Zambrano initially wanted to continue on the basepaths but asked to be taken out of the game before a pitch was thrown. He was run for by fellow starter Rich Harden and relieved by Angel Guzman.

Zambrano left in a 2-2 tie and threw 78 pitches in his five innings. A short time later Harden scored the go-ahead run on Derrek Lee's grand slam.

 

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Cubs place Zambrano on 15-day disabled list


The Cubs placed ace right-hander Carlos Zambrano on the 15-day disabled list today with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.

General manager Jim Hendry said doctors felt Zambrano would "probably need two to two-and-a-half weeks" to recover from the injury he suffered running to first base on a bunt single in the fifth inning of Sunday's 6-4 victory over Florida.Rather than add a pitcher, the Cubs recalled infielder Bobby Scales for the time being. "Because we don't have to make a decision until Friday [Zambrano's next scheduled start], and a lot of options could happen before Friday,'' Hendry said.

The Cubs likey will recall a Class AAA starting pitcher for Friday's game at Milwaukee, rather than using someone from their bullpen. "We'll obviously have to cut back on some people's work who have a chance to go Friday," Hendry said of the potential minor-league call-ups.

Hendry ruled out right-hander Jeff Samardzija from making the start Friday because he has been working in relief the last 11 days. "I don't think that's the right thing to do for Jeff,'' Hendry said.