In his first public comments since the team banished him following another meltdown, Zambrano told Comcast SportsNet Chicago that he wants to remain with the Cubs. The team had no comment.
“Of course, man” Zambrano said. “Hey, the Cubs have been to me like family. The organization is my family. I’ve seen people go and people come and I’m still there. … I want to keep pitching for the Cubs. It was a moment of frustration Friday night, and I pitched so bad I wanted to retire, you know, I don’t want to be making $18 million and pitch like crap.”
Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected from Friday night’s 10-4 loss to Atlanta. The Cubs placed him on the disqualified list Saturday and said the right-hander would receive no pay for 30 days after his latest in a long line of incidents.
That includes a fight with Michael Barrett, his former catcher, and a dugout confrontation with then-teammate Derrek Lee last season that led to Zambrano being placed on the restricted list for six weeks and sent to anger management.
The Cubs recalled left-hander Scott Maine from Triple-A Iowa to fill Zambrano’s roster spot.
CONVENIENT TRADE
Outfielder Delmon Young found out he was traded from Minnesota to Detroit, hours before the Twins were scheduled to play the Tigers.
With no better way to travel to the ballpark in Detroit, he hitched a ride on the team bus with what was by then his former club.
“I’m not going to sit in a 30-minute cab ride,” said Young, the No. 1 overall pick in 2003 by Tampa Bay. “Now, I think it would be awkward if I took the team bus back.”
The Twins receive Cole Nelson, a minor league left-handed pitcher, and a player to be named.
SHORT HOPS
Bryan Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan who was severely beaten outside Dodger Stadium after the season opener, has made “significant improvement” despite a series of ups and downs since his near-fatal attack more than four months ago, Dr. Geoff Manley said. … The Phillies signed right-hander Dave Bush to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. … The White Sox released pitcher Brian Bruney after the right-hander cleared waivers and rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Charlotte. … Shannon Stone, the Texas Rangers fan killed last month when he fell from the stands at Rangers Ballpark while reaching for a ball, will be honored with a bronze statue at the stadium next year. … Major League Baseball postponed a vote to approve the proposed $680 million sale of the Houston Astros from Drayton McLane to Jim Crane.
