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Shoulder Problems Sideline Zambrano

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The Associated Press

Published: September 5, 2008

CHICAGO - Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano has right rotator cuff tendinitis and inflammation, an MRI confirmed Thursday, a potential obstacle to Chicago's chances of winning the World Series for the first time in a century.

Zambrano received a shot of anti-inflammatory medication and hopes to return to the rotation next week. General Manager Jim Hendry said Zambrano hopes to start throwing again when the team begins a series in St. Louis on Wednesday. If all goes well, Zambrano would start at Houston in the following series.

Zambrano, 13-5 this year, left his start Tuesday night against the Astros after five innings, saying he did not feel well. He was examined Wednesday by team orthopedist Stephen Gryzlo.

Zambrano is 1-1 in his past six starts and has made it past the fifth inning only twice.

Sean Marshall will start in Zambrano's place Sunday at Cincinnati. The Cubs began the day with a 4 1/2 -game lead in the NL Central and have 22 games remaining, including 16 on the road.

"Hopefully he will be just missing this one start," Hendry said. "I think it's a relief that Z doesn't have anything more significant than what we thought."

Zambrano was on the disabled list in June with a sore shoulder.

"Obviously Dr. Gryzlo has been right on with all his evaluations," Hendry said. "He felt this was not going to be a significant problem, not a situation where he had to be put on the DL."

PHILLIES: Third-base coach Steve Smith was suspended for two games and fined because of an argument with umpires during a game in Chicago last week.

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