Zambrano To Collect Salary But Won't Play Again In 2011
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Troubled pitcher Carlos Zambrano's suspension expires on Sunday, but the Chicago Cubs have no plans to put him back on the field.
The organization released the following statement on Friday: "Carlos Zambrano will remain at home for the remainder of the 2011 baseball season and the Cubs will resume paying Zambrano his salary at the end of the 30-day suspension. The suspension is scheduled to run through Sunday, September 11, leaving insufficient preparation time for Zambrano to pitch again this season."
The Cubs suspended Zambrano on Aug. 12 after the volatile pitcher was thrown out of a game in Atlanta for throwing at the Braves Chipper Jones. He had given up five home runs before the incident. Zambrano then cleaned out his locker, left the stadium and said he was going to retire.
Zambrano, who is making more than $18 million this season, later said he had no plans to quit the game and pleaded with the Cubs to let him play again. He signed a five-year, $91.5 million deal, effective in 2008.
The players union had filed a grievance after the suspension, which the Cubs said will be handled in the off-season.
