May 11, 2008 - 3:34 PM
CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Arizona Diamondbacks lefthander Randy Johnson was scratched from his start against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday due to a rain delay.
The 44-year-old Johnson, who is coming off a second back surgery in as many years, is 2-1 with a 5.06 ERA in five starts. Edgar Gonzalez started in his place.
The Diamondbacks decided to start Gonzalez instead of Johnson due to the windy and raining conditions.
"With a guy that's had the problems he's had with his back, to send him out there in those conditions, not only with what certainly would be a wet field, but windy conditions which play on the back," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said prior to the game. "There are a lot of reasons not to pitch him today."
The Cubs also scratched scheduled starter Carlos Zambrano, who was replaced by Sean Gallagher.