Sergio

Mitre

When asked about Mitre being skipped over this week, Manager Dusty Baker commented “You got any better choices?”. Hopefully your fantasy team does. Mitre is only keeping Mark Prior’s spot in the rotation warm until he returns.

Carlos Zambrano, who pitched last night, will start Sunday’s game but the Cubs are undecided as to who will start Saturday’s contest. Glendon Rusch is a candidate as are Iowa pitchers Jon Leicester and Jimmy Anderson.

Mitre hadn’t experienced any success since a shift to the bullpen. He’ll likely head back to the rotation at Iowa.

Mitre could be ready to pitch for the Marlins some time during the team’s nine-game road trip, which begins Tuesday in Washington. But Mitre says he doesn’t want to pitch in relief. ''I’ve done the bullpen thing before, and it didn’t go so well for me,’' said Mitre.

Mitre, who had been out since mid-May with a sore shoulder, is back in the majors after just one inning of work on a rehab assignment. He’ll pitch out of the bullpen, and he shouldn’t have any fantasy value.

Mitre is an option to be activated from the disabled list to take Logan Kensing’s spot on the roster. Kensing will be put on the disabled list on Wednesday.

Mitre, who has been out since May 12, hopes to return to the Marlins by the end of August. They currently have six starting pitchers on their roster so they won’t rush Mitre’s recovery.

Mitre is expected to make the first of several minor league rehab starts next week. He should rejoin the Marlins by late August.

Transferred to the 60-day disabled list, Mitre isn’t eligible to return until July 13. “He’s taking it slow and being conservative,’' general manager Larry Beinfest said. “We want to make sure he’s strong.’'