NEW YORK — Cubs manager Lou
Piniella has decided to move ace right-hander Carlos Zambrano to the
bullpen.
Piniella talked to Zambrano about
switching to an eighth-inning role before Chicago faced the New York
Mets on Wednesday night. He says Zambrano was ready to do whatever was
best for the team and the change "makes all the sense in the world."
Ted Lilly will be inserted into
the rotation when he comes off the disabled list, probably this weekend.
Zambrano agreed to a $91.5
million, five-year contract extension in August 2007 that includes a
2013 option that could make the deal worth $110.75 million over six
seasons. He says he doesn't like the idea of being a reliever but wants
to help the team win.