Carlos Zambrano Nears His Return To Rotation

A month after getting removed from the rotation, Carlos Zambrano is headed back. And, on Monday, he took his biggest step yet towards readjusting:

Zambrano isn’t quite ready to start a big league game yet, but according to Lou Piniella, he’ll get a go on the Cubs’ next road trip, which begins in Pittsburgh on May 31st.

It wasn’t long ago that Carlos Zambrano was moved to the bullpen to try and fill a hole. 15 hits and six runs later, though, the Cubs seem to be preparing to move Zambrano back into the rotation by way of a stint in long relief.

Nothing about Zambrano really translated too well to the bullpen, and though he wasn’t given much time to adapt, he belongs in the rotation anyway. It’s unclear which of Chicago’s current five starters would get the boot to make room, but there’s still time for someone to flop as Zambrano works his way back into shape. Ted Lilly’s 4.65 ERA is the worst of the group, but Carlos Silva has the worst track record. And really, who’s to say what Lou Piniella might do? Lou Piniella wanted Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen.

The bunch of relievers in Wrigleyville are carrying around a 1-6 record in 2010, as well as a 6.15 ERA (worst in the N.L.), and they’ve allowed 41 hits in their 40 innings pitched. In short, the bullpen is struggling. The obvious solution to this, according to a couple of reporters, is to take Zambrano out of the rotation and add him -- a pitcher who made at least 28 starts every year since 2002 -- to the Cubs bullpen. The move was announced by manager Lou Pinella Wednesday afternoon.

Zambrano will serve as the main set-up man for closer Carlos Marmol. There is no word yet on whether or not this will be a permanent adjustment.