Cubs say Zambrano not coming back this season

Cubs say Zambrano not coming back this season
Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano AP File/Charles Rex Arbogast
Cubs say Zambrano not coming back this season
Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano AP File/Charles Rex Arbogast

Cubs say Zambrano not coming back this season

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Carlos Zambrano won’t be back on the mound for the Chicago Cubs this season.

In a statement released Friday, the Cubs announced Zambrano won’t be pitching for the team for the rest of this current season. That said, the Cubs will continue paying him once his 30-day suspension expires on Sunday, September 11th.

In the statement, the Cubs say once that suspension is up, there wouldn’t be enough time left in the season for Zambrano to get back into the swing of pitching again.

The pitcher was put on the disqualified list after he was ejected from a game against the Atlanta Braves on August 12th during which he threw two inside pitches that nearly hit Braves third baseman Chipper Jones. 

Thereafter, Zambrano allegedly cleaned out his locker and told clubhouse personnel he was planning to retire. Zambrano later said he wanted to return to the team and filed a grievance against the Cubs after he was suspended. That grievance is still outstanding.