Friday night, Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano turned in a miserable start against the Atlanta Braves that saw him allow eight runs and five homers. Zambrano was ejected after throwing at Chipper Jones, and when he went to the clubhouse, he cleaned out his locker and apparently told some people he was retiring. Then he left.
Confused? So are the Cubs. That's why they're talking with Zambrano's agent, trying to figure out what's going on. Paul Sullivan:
The Cubs are in talks with Zambrano's agent, trying to find out what Zambrano was actually thinking after walking out of the clubhouse Friday night and telling Cubs personnel he plans to retire.
Zambrano hasn't filled out and submitted any retirement papers, which is the official process. There's no word right now on any other details, but the presumption is that, if the situation isn't cleared up shortly, the Cubs will place Zambrano on the restricted list for the second time in two seasons. Last year he went on the restricted list while undergoing anger management.
Zambrano owns a 4.82 ERA through 24 starts, with 101 strikeouts and 56 walks. He is not a good pitcher, but he is under contract for a lot of money in 2012, which makes this such an interesting situation.