Um... Zambrano is Pitching in the WBC?

[Ace]

This is news to me.

Judge for yourself. It looks like brand new info today. Ugh.

[Ace]

I keep trying to figure out how I'm reading it incorrectly, but I don't think I am. I am hoping this is just a mistake. Can't find confirmation anywhere else.

[ColoradoCub]

Who knows... Marmol, for the record, is NOT pitching in the WBC according to Paul Sullivan

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=19872:date=Feb 23 2009, 10:06 PM:name=ColoradoCub)-->QUOTE (ColoradoCub @ Feb 23 2009, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Who knows... Marmol, for the record, is NOT pitching in the WBC according to Paul Sullivan<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Yeah, that one's been widely confirmed.

[ColoradoCub]

And this article from Sullivan is actually dated tomorrow...

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Text size: increase text sizedecrease text size
Cubs' Marmol takes pass on pitching for Dominican in World Baseball Classic

By Paul Sullivan | Tribune reporter
February 24, 2009

MESA, Ariz. — After a sleepless night Sunday, Carlos Marmol decided it was better for his career and his team to concentrate on closing for the Cubs than representing his country in the World Baseball Classic.

Marmol pulled out of the tournament Monday, leaving Geovany Soto (Puerto Rico), Kosuke Fukudome (Japan) and Ted Lilly (U.S.) as the only Cubs in the WBC. Fukudome is practicing with his team in Japan, while Lilly and Soto will leave for their respective teams' training camps Sunday.

"It's a hard decision and hard to say no," Marmol said. "But I would prefer to stay here and work with my team. For me it was hard because it was the first time I was invited and I can't go. I hope they're not mad at me."

Manager Lou Piniella had a "nice chat" with Marmol during Monday's workout, and told him to make the best decision for himself and no one else.

"I told him it was his decision and we would support him either way," Piniella said. "He's thought about it a long time. It really is a difficult decision. I told him it's an honor representing your country. ... My posture, basically, is to stay out of that situation as much as possible."

Marmol is competing with Kevin Gregg for the closer's role, a spot he has been groomed for the last two seasons. Piniella did say that Marmol's command hasn't been as sharp this spring as it should be, though Monday's outing was a bit of an improvement.

Lilly sympathizes with Marmol, knowing it was a much tougher decision for the right-hander because of the emphasis his country puts on the WBC. Winning it would be a big deal in the Dominican, whereas the U.S. doesn't seem to care much about its own WBC team.

<b>Marmol, Derrek Lee, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Rich Harden are among the Cubs who've turned down a chance to play in the tournament.</b>

"Just because these guys on our club aren't playing, they all have a lot of pride in their country and are very grateful that they're [asked to be] a part of it," Lilly said. "Everyone's reason is different. As for myself, it's something I prepared for much earlier when I heard the opportunity would be there."

Unlike the rest of the Cubs' pitchers, Lilly threw batting practice without a protective screen in front of him Monday, acclimating himself early for the WBC. Lilly feels like he's well ahead of schedule, after throwing five times in the off-season before arriving at camp.

"I'm trying to be aggressive," he said. "For the most part I think I was throwing game speed. I don't know what the radar readings were, but I was trying to put myself in that mentality as much as possible."

Lilly said his decision to play was easy, because he's always wanted to represent the U.S. in some manner.

"My grandfather, my father and my uncles all served in the Navy, and I thought I would have a chance to do that," he said. "So I guess this is the next closest thing."

psullivan@tribune.com<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Ace]

I wonder if the Venezuelan federation guy who said Zambrano is going to pitch is just hopeful?

[ColoradoCub]

Zambrano isn't even getting his first ST start until next Monday... I don't see how he'd be ready to pitch in the WBC

[Clapp]

I doubt he is, that's just a preview of the Venezuelan team from somebody that's likely not very informed.

They're even holding him back a little bit in ST
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Carlos Zambrano won't pitch in Cactus League games until the second go-around of the rotation, taking it slow in his first spring since experiencing shoulder problems.

Zambrano pitched to minor leaguers on Saturday, but refused to talk after his session, raising eyebrows.

The Cubs insist there's nothing wrong with Zambrano, and that they're just being cautious.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And then Sullivan today:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Marmol pulled out of the tournament Monday, leaving Geovany Soto (Puerto Rico), Kosuke Fukudome (Japan) and Ted Lilly (U.S.) as the only Cubs in the WBC.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Marmol, Derrek Lee, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Rich Harden are among the Cubs who've turned down a chance to play in the tournament.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'm not saying Sullivan is credible, but he's around the team nonstop and surely if there was news about Z he'd be writing about it and trashing the guy. I haven't seen that anywhere else either.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=19877:date=Feb 23 2009, 10:11 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Feb 23 2009, 10:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I doubt he is, that's just a preview of the Venezuelan team from somebody that's likely not very informed.

They're even holding him back a little bit in ST
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Carlos Zambrano won't pitch in Cactus League games until the second go-around of the rotation, taking it slow in his first spring since experiencing shoulder problems.

Zambrano pitched to minor leaguers on Saturday, but refused to talk after his session, raising eyebrows.

The Cubs insist there's nothing wrong with Zambrano, and that they're just being cautious.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And then Sullivan today:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Marmol pulled out of the tournament Monday, leaving Geovany Soto (Puerto Rico), Kosuke Fukudome (Japan) and Ted Lilly (U.S.) as the only Cubs in the WBC.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Marmol, Derrek Lee, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Rich Harden are among the Cubs who've turned down a chance to play in the tournament.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'm not saying Sullivan is credible, but he's around the team nonstop and surely if there was news about Z he'd be writing about it and trashing the guy. I haven't seen that anywhere either.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The quote is from today from the guy assembling the Venezuelan team, and even mentions that originally Z wasn't participating, but then the Cubs gave approval.

[Clapp]

I don't believe it. Surely there would've been a mention from somebody around the team, and they're already holding him back a bit as it is, why would they allow him to pitch in this then? I can't see it happening.

[Captain]

<!--quoteo(post=19875:date=Feb 23 2009, 09:09 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Feb 23 2009, 09:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I wonder if the Venezuelan federation guy who said Zambrano is going to pitch is just hopeful?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

hopeful and incredibly uninformed.

[CFOrfan]

Did I miss something about Z being hurt? Or is this leftover speculation from his DL stint last season?

[rok]

The only thing wrong with Z is related to his Lasik surgery which was put off for a little while. There's nothing wrong with his shoulder. From what I understand, ALL of our 5 starters are being pushed back into next week. And I really doubt that MLB.com wouldn't have a story on this if Z did indeed change his mind.

[kbwsb]

It sucks if it's true, but how bad can it be? I highly doubt that his country's team is going to make it too far, so what'll he get...one start?
Besides, in that country, wouldn't Santana be the #1 starter?

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=19913:date=Feb 24 2009, 04:11 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Feb 24 2009, 04:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->It sucks if it's true, but how bad can it be? I highly doubt that his country's team is going to make it too far, so what'll he get...one start?
Besides, in that country, wouldn't Santana be the #1 starter?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
According to the article, Zambrano is replacing Santana as the number 1.