Zambrano Rehab Start Sun 12pm CT (p. 5)

[cubsfaninkansas]

why not randy wells? hes 3-0 in iowa

[Soul]

Bruce was just on the score speculating that it would be Wells.

[Guest]

Am I the only Cubs fan who did a :facepalm: when Lou chose Rich Harden to pinch run for Z? We could have lost 2/5 of our starting rotation in one half inning without either guy throwing a pitch.

 

I think Lou had originally called for Jason Marquis to pinch run, except that he forgot that Jason was traded a few months back.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Am I the only Cubs fan who did a :facepalm: when Lou chose Rich Harden to pinch run for Z? We could have lost 2/5 of our starting rotation in one half inning without either guy throwing a pitch.

 

I think Lou had originally called for Jason Marquis to pinch run, except that he forgot that Jason was traded a few months back.

 

That and the fact that he hates Joey Gathright as much as the rest of Cubs Nation does.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Bruce was just on the score speculating that it would be Wells.

 

Rotoword said it would be Ascanio. I guess it depends if they want to bring up a reliever and give Shark or Heilman the starts, in which case Ascanio, Fox, and Stevens are all well deserving of the shot, but if he wants to bring up a starter Wells or Caridad(probably Wells since Caridad isnt on the 40 man) would be the way to go. Of course Kevin Hart is always a possibility until the organization finally gives up on him.

[David]

Am I the only Cubs fan who did a :facepalm: when Lou chose Rich Harden to pinch run for Z? We could have lost 2/5 of our starting rotation in one half inning without either guy throwing a pitch.

 

I think Lou had originally called for Jason Marquis to pinch run, except that he forgot that Jason was traded a few months back.

 

That and the fact that he hates Joey Gathright as much as the rest of Cubs Nation does.

 

 

Ugh

[Little Slide Rooter]

Piniella: Big Z may skip next scheduled start

 

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Sunday that Carlos Zambrano (hamstring) is "in jeopardy" of missing his next scheduled start.

 

Big Z underwent an MRI Sunday night after straining his left hamstring in the sixth inning. ''I'd say it's in jeopardy,'' Piniella said. ''And if I had to guess, I'd say no. We'll see. I'd guess we'd have to do something to bring up a starter, but let him get his [MRI].'' May. 4 - 8:48 am et

 

This at least sounds good, like even if he does miss a start, that will be about it.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It would thin the bullpen a little bit, but I like the idea of Ascanio with Samardzija piggybacking.

[hardcorecubfan]

This is dumb. Only our good players get hurt. Where's Gathright's hamstring strain? :/

 

I was so surprise not to see him pinch run for Z

[big_shooter17]

Depending on when Aramis comes back, it could have worked out perfectly to do DL him so that you could pull up a pitcher to make one start for Z if that is all that it takes. Or even to just move him back a couple of days. Of course, Piniella wisely used Ramirez to pinch hit making his retroactive date one that causes that scenario to be thrown out the window.

[Soul]

It would thin the bullpen a little bit, but I like the idea of Ascanio with Samardzija piggybacking.

 

I kind of like the idea of a Wells spot start.

 

He's pitching decently at Iowa and nobody has a book on him. Might be enough for a single quality start.

[jersey cubs fan]

Depending on when Aramis comes back, it could have worked out perfectly to do DL him so that you could pull up a pitcher to make one start for Z if that is all that it takes. Or even to just move him back a couple of days. Of course, Piniella wisely used Ramirez to pinch hit making his retroactive date one that causes that scenario to be thrown out the window.

 

Aren't people reporting that Aramis might start today?

[Hall7810]

Aramis himself said he'd probably be back today--at 90%.

[erik316wttn]

Any word on when the MRI results become official?

[jersey cubs fan]

Any word on when the MRI results become official?

 

Probably well before they become public.

[Brian]

I don't see the criticism using a SP as pinch runner in the 5th inning. Why would you waste an already short bench just to run? Sure Harden is brittle, but it's not like he's had leg problems.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't see the criticism using a SP as pinch runner in the 5th inning. Why would you waste an already short bench just to run? Sure Harden is brittle, but it's not like he's had leg problems.

 

Well, Joey Gathwright has no value to this team other than as a pinch runner, "losing" him in the 5th wouldn't be that tragic.

[Keener98]

I really cant believe Z is being criticized by some in the media for laying a bunt down and then coming up lame. Pitchers are baseball players plain and simple, and just because alot of pitchers cant hit, it shouldnt be expected from all of them. Z laid down that bunt, and that bunt helped us get 4 runs that inning. Would it have been better if he had gotten a single up the middle and then pulled up hurt? It was a hell of a play by Z, and it sucks he got hurt, but I dont blame Z for laying a bunt down, it was a smart headsup baseball play.

[Soul]

I don't get it either. Z is a pretty athletic guy -- it's part of who he is to do those kind of hustle plays. Taking that away from him would be a net negative, IMO.

[jersey cubs fan]

Where is this criticism coming from?

[Electron Blue]

I don't see the criticism using a SP as pinch runner in the 5th inning. Why would you waste an already short bench just to run? Sure Harden is brittle, but it's not like he's had leg problems.

 

Well, Joey Gathwright has no value to this team other than as a pinch runner, "losing" him in the 5th wouldn't be that tragic.

 

This is especially true since, ironically, Gathright has been passed up even as a pinch-hitter for . . . a pitcher (Z, of course).

[Banedon]

Where is this criticism coming from?

 

Sounds like some media in the postgame interview with Lou.

 

Piniella defended Zambrano's competitive side against questions about the bunt.

 

''What are we supposed to do?'' Piniella said. ''He laid down a perfect bunt to start an inning. He hurts his hamstring, but what can you do?''

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1556625,CST-SPT-cub04.article

[jersey cubs fan]

Where is this criticism coming from?

 

Sounds like some media in the postgame interview with Lou.

 

Piniella defended Zambrano's competitive side against questions about the bunt.

 

''What are we supposed to do?'' Piniella said. ''He laid down a perfect bunt to start an inning. He hurts his hamstring, but what can you do?''

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1556625,CST-SPT-cub04.article

 

Well, I think there is a big difference between media members asking Lou if he would rather have seen Zambrano not bunt, or if he was disappointed that Zambrano did bunt, than somebody coming out and straight up cricizing the play. It's a legit question.

[Mephistopheles]

FWIW: Rich Harden is probably the second best runner on the team (behind Gathright's 75/80 speed). Harden's a 65 or 70 runner.

 

FWIW #2: Give Guzman the start.

[jersey cubs fan]

FWIW: Rich Harden is probably the second best runner on the team (behind Gathright's 75/80 speed). Harden's a 65 or 70 runner.

 

Maybe on a straight speed basis, but what about baserunning? He looked pretty confused out there.