Decent news on the Harden and Z front.

Thanks to the Sun-Times for this-

Carlos Zambrano has undergone an MRI today on his right arm, and Cubs general manager
Jim Hendry said he has rotator cuff tendinitis and if things go well will pitch in Houston during the series between Sept. 12-14.

The Cubs' right-hander was supposed to take the exam yesterday, but he couldn't do it because of family reasons.


Zambrano took himself out of Tuesday's game because of an arm problem. He had missed a start Sunday to rest his arm.

Cubs Nation is starting to wonder about World Series expectations as the Cubs have lost five in a row for the first time this season. Fortunately for the North Siders, the Milwaukee Brewers also are slumping.


Combined with Zambrano's situation is the fact Rich Harden also is complaining of discomfort in his right arm and won't pitch until Wednesday.

That is some of the best news that Cub fans could get. It seems there will be not DL stint unless he has a set back. He will likely miss 1 starts in which case Marshall will replace him in the rotation. As far as Rich Harden, I think people are blowing this a bit out of proportion, especially the media in general to sell papers and to get hits on their sites. Here is what Lou and Harden have said-

Harden, he's had some some discomfort also," Piniella said Wednesday.


"I'm feeling pretty good, but I guess I've had a little bit of discomfort, nothing serious," Harden admitted. "Really, it just seemed like a good time to miss a start. They told me that's what they planned on doing before I even came here,"

Could he pitch sooner if needed?


"Yeah, I could," Harden said. "(But) they want to make sure I'm stronger and ready to go down the stretch. It's the most important time. Coming off these couple extra days I'm feeling really strong and I'll be able to go every fifth day."

It seems the panic that I, along with 90% of Cubs fans, felt was unnecessary. I think this all is just a precautionary move for the Cubs and Harden and I agree with it.

Cubs add 6 players.

The Cubs have called in some reinforcements. The rosters could go to 40 today but the Cubs have chosen to call up 6 players. They are the usual suspects of Jon Lieber, Angel Guzman, Micah Hoffpauir, Koyie Hill, Michael Weurtz, and Casey MaGehee. These players should give more of our regulars some time off during this last month of the season. A couple of surprises are that Kevin Hart and Felix Pie, but that is why Lou makes the decisions and not me.

On another note, Carlos Zambrano will pitch Tuesday night.

Cubs pitchers need more rest, Zambrano scratched today.

Carlos Zambrano is going through a dead arm stage, which almost every pitcher goes throughout the year. Some bad like Brett Myers went through, and some not as serious like Marmol went through before the break. Larry and Lou will give guys like Dempster, Harden, and Z some extra days to be fresh for later in the month and hopefully in October.

Carlos, Ryan, and Rich have all recently been struggling with control and their speed on their pitches. With a 5.5 game lead in the Central and important series later in the month against the Brewers, Mets, Stros, and Cards, they need their rotation. This is a good as time as any to give them a rest. They have 3 with Houston and 3 with the Reds in the next 8 days with 2 off days. That should be enough time to give Harden, Z, and Dempster each 2 extra days of rest between starts.

This is a very good move by management considering how heavy we count on those 3, the depth we have in the rotation, rosters expand tomorrow, and the importance of the month of September, it could not have happened at a better time. Expect Marshall, Guzman, Lieber, and some other guys to get starts in Sept., especially if the Cubs get a 8+ game lead in the Central.