Cubs right-hander Carlos Zambrano has struggled this season in more ways than one. Through 70 innings -- 11 starts, 16 relief appearances -- he has posted a 5.27 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 38 walks against 63 strikeouts. Oh, and there was that little incident back in June that cost him a month.
Perhaps some progress was made on Saturday. Big Z limited the division rival Cardinals to two earned runs over 5.2 innings on a steamy day at St. Louis’ Busch Stadium, allowing his Cubs to grab a 3-2 victory. He struck out three batters and issued only two walks.
As the Associated Press notes, it was his first victory since June 20. It was also his first sign of life since his team-issued suspension.
Zambrano is owed $18 million annually through 2014, which will make a trade or any type of move extremely difficult. Essentially, the Cubbies are stuck with him. So they might as well throw him into the fire and see if he can settle in as a reliable third or fourth starter. Hey, every good team has a few innings eaters.