The high priced starting pitcher for the Cubs was put on the restricted MLB Odds list by the team on Tuesday and he won’t be back with the team until after the All-Star break. He likely won’t be on the board in MLB lines when he comes back as he will likely go to the bullpen instead of to the starting rotation.
MLB odds in past seasons routinely favored Zambrano. He was not just an average pitcher either. In past seasons he had been very good for the Cubs and he got a lot of respect in MLB lines. It started to come apart for Zambrano late last season and this year he has been awful vs. the MLB odds. He was 3-6 with a 5.66 ERA in 22 games this season, including nine starts. In his last start against the White Sox, Zambrano lost control and exploded in the dugout after giving up four runs in the first inning. That incident was just the latest meltdown for the Cubs star pitcher. The Cubs had seen enough and suspended Zambrano. He was transferred from the suspended list to the restricted list on Tuesday which means he will still get paid. He will be undergoing treatment though although the Cubs did not specify what type of counseling Zambrano will be undergoing.
The Cubs were so fed up with Zambrano that they simply wanted to get him away from the team. It was thought that Zambrano would apologize to the team but the Cubs just want him to get straightened out before addressing the team. In fact, Zambrano is not expected to have any contact with his Cubs teammates until after his therapy is over.
The Cubs are in a tough situation with Zambrano since he is in the middle of a five-year contract extension that is paying him $91.5 million dollars. Chicago has not played well this season vs. the MLB odds and Zambrano is just one of many problems for the Cubs. Manager Lou Piniella looks to be on his last legs as a manager and he has not gotten much out of the Cubs this season. Chicago has a lineup that has underachieved and a starting rotation that has been very poor.