Cubs RHP Zambrano has rotator cuff tendinitis

Sep 4, 2008 - 7:25 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs are breathing a little easier Thursday after an MRI revealed ace righthander Carlos Zambrano has rotator cuff tendinitis.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said that if all goes well, Zambrano will pitch in Houston during the series from September 12-14.

The diagnosis is good news for the first-place Cubs, who had feared Zambrano could be sidelined for an extended period, perhaps even the remainder of the season.

"It's a relief knowing Z doesn't have anything more significant than what we thought, and hopefully that's it," Hendry said.

Zambrano took himself out of Tuesday's game against Houston after five innings with his arm bothering him. He had missed Sunday's start with a tired arm.

Zambrano, who has won just once in his last six starts, is 13-5 with a 3.58 ERA in 27 starts.

In addition to Zambrano's situation, righthander Rich Harden also has been bothered by discomfort in his arm and won't pitch until Wednesday.

The oft-injured Harden, who has a history of arm problems, has been dominant since coming over in a trade from Oakland in July. With the Cubs, he is 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA in nine starts, striking out 75 in 54 innings.

Hendry didn't seem concerned about Harden.

"The Harden situation is nothing we hadn't planned for," Hendry said. "There's no good time when people are out, but we planned on this."

The Cubs (85-55), who own the National League's best record, have a 4 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee in the Central.