Cubs RHP Zambrano to have injured arm examined

Sep 3, 2008 - 6:29 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Chicago Cubs righthander Carlos Zambrano's tired arm may be more serious than originally anticipated.

After having his scheduled start over the weekend pushed back two days, the burly ace complained of pain in his arm after throwing five innings in which he surrendered three runs, five hits and three walks over 86 pitches in the Cubs' 9-7 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

Zambrano will meet with team doctor, Dr. Stephen Gryzlo, on Wednesday for further evaluation.

"He told our pitching coach he was not feeling good," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "He went upstairs to our trainer and he will see our team doctors tomorrow. When we know more about it, we will let you know about it."

Zambrano, who rarely topped 90 mph, surrendered an RBI groundout to David Newhan in the second and a two-run single to Miguel Tejada in the fifth.

"I had no idea there was anything wrong with him," Cubs catcher Geovany Soto said. "The first two innings, he threw the ball real well and after that, he just seemed to try and compete."

If he is out for the stretch run of the season, the Cubs (85-54), who decided to also skip Rich Harden's scheduled start this week for precautionary reasons, could see their 4 1/2-game lead on the Milwaukee Brewers (80-58) in the National League Central dissipate.

The 27-year-old is 13-5 with a 3.58 ERA in 27 starts this season.