7/21 Zambrano update

Carlos Zambrano will make his first appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Thursday in Des Moines. Zambrano, on the restricted list since June 28, has pitched one inning for the Mesa Rookie League team, facing three batters and striking out one. He was to throw Thursday and then travel with the Iowa team to Round Rock for the weekend series.

Micah Hoffpauir said he talked to Zambrano on Tuesday.

“I just told him to have fun,” Hoffpauir told the Des Moines Register. “That’s what my dad told me when I was little. He said, ‘If you’re not enjoying it, don’t do it.”

Zambrano’s last appearance in Des Moines was April 7, 2002.

“It’s good to see him back on the field,” Hoffpauir said. “I think he’ll step right back into his role and do a good job. Before all is said and done, he’ll be the pitcher he was.”

– Carrie Muskat