7/22 Zambrano update

Carlos Zambrano faced five batters and gave up two singles in a scoreless seventh inning Thursday night for Triple-A Iowa against Oklahoma City, his second Minor League appearance. Zambrano, who pitched one inning for the Mesa Rookie League team on Monday, threw 15 pitches, 10 for strikes in his lone inning. He entered with the game tied at 4 and got help from center fielder Sam Fuld who made a leaping catch at the wall for the second out. Of the five batters Zambrano faced, he threw first-pitch strike to one, the last batter.

After he was finished with the inning, Zambrano went to the bullpen to get more work in. He has not pitched for the Cubs since June 25 when he pitched one inning in a start against the White Sox and then threw a tantrum in the dugout, upset at the way his teammates were playing behind him. Zambrano was suspended for three days and then placed on the restricted list and underwent treatment for anger issues. He will stay with the Iowa Cubs to pitch in relief and was not expected to join the big league team until July 30 in Colorado.

– Carrie Muskat