Cubs activate RHP Zambrano

Jul 4, 2008 - 10:32 PM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The suddenly struggling Chicago Cubs are in need of a boost. They hope their ace can provide one.

Righthander Carlos Zambrano was activated from the disabled list Friday to start the opener of the Cubs' three-game series at St. Louis.

While the Cubs hold a 2 1/2-game edge over the Cardinals in the NL Central Division, they have leveled after achieving a water-mark of 20 games over .500 (48-28) on June 22 following a sweep of the Chicago White Sox. Thursday's 8-3 setback in San Francisco was the Cubs' seventh defeat in their last 10 contests.

Zambrano has not pitched since June 18, when he left a start against the Tampa Bay Rays with a strained right shoulder and went on the DL for the first time in his career. He threw a bullpen session on Sunday.

The 27-year-old has been a workhouse throughout his career for the Cubs, surpassing 200 innings in each of the last five seasons. In 16 starts this season, he is 8-3 with a 3.13 ERA in 107 innings.

Without Zambrano, who missed two starts, the Cubs' pitching has been inconsistent.

"He's a huge lift," Chicago starter Jason Marquis. "It's nice to have a guy like that in your rotation."

Last season, Zambrano dominated the Cardinals, going 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA.

To make room for Zambrano, the Cubs optioned righthander Jose Ascanio to Class AAA Iowa of the Pacific Coast League. Ascanio has appeared in six games for Chicago out of the bullpen this season, posting a 7.94 ERA with no record.