Big Baby Z to Return Next Week

Chicago Cubs pitcher and resident hothead Carlos Zambrano is expected to be back in the Cubs' pitching rotation sometime next week according to Cubs manager Lou Piniella. ESPN reports that Piniella chose that time frame because the team will be on the road in Houston and Colorado through August 1st, and he felt it would be "easier" away from the "big media presence."

Zambrano was suspended then put on the restricted list at the end of June when he had a hissy fit over what he felt was the team's lack of hustle, ending with a shouting tirade in the face of teammate Derrek Lee. Besides some time off, Zambrano was also required to attend anger management sessions, which he has completed. Whether or not they made any difference is yet to be seen.

Zambrano pitched Thursday for Ryne Sandberg and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, and his 15 pitch inning was described by ESPN as "less-than-impressive."