Phillies take chance on Carlos Zambrano
Matt Gelb, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 12:05 PM
The never-ending quest for starting pitching depth has taken the Phillies to Carlos Zambrano, the controversial righthander long known for his histrionics. Zambrano signed a minor-league deal Wednesday.
The Phillies felt adding depth was a necessity with Roy Halladay undergoing shoulder surgery Wednesday and no veteran rotation presence at triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Zambrano will report to extended spring training in Clearwater, Fla. The Phillies must promote him to the majors before July 1, or he can ask for his release.
"We are just looking to add some depth, starting pitching depth," assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said. "Right now he will go to extended spring training and throw bullpens and progress from there. No promises were made. It is just an opportunity to add to the starting pitching."
The 31-year-old pitcher spent time with Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic this spring but did not land a major-league job until now.
Premature reports of Zambrano's signing surfaced last week. He had agreed to terms with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League but never signed that deal. Now he is property of the Phillies.
Jonathan Pettibone has sufficed as fifth starter. John Lannan remains sidelined by a knee injury and his return should come sometime in June. Beyond that, Tyler Cloyd impressed in his one start and prospect Adam Morgan has stumbled after a fast start at triple A.
Zambrano has a career 3.66 ERA in 12 seasons. He spent 2012 with Miami and posted a 4.49 ERA in 35 games (20 starts).
His first 11 seasons were with Chicago, and he was well known for his testy temperament. He once called his teammates "triple-A players." He fought teammates and water coolers in the dugout. That led to anger-management sessions mandated by the Cubs.
His Cubs career ended in 2011 when he was ejected from an August game in Atlanta and cleaned out his locker at Turner Field before the game finished. Chicago placed him on the restricted list and he never threw a pitch for them again.
The Phillies must hope a lack of job humbled Zambrano. For now, they will take a chance at a pitcher with a long track record.
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