Hot Carlos
One Time Toss-In Silva Can't Be Stopped

Jerry Lai/US PRESSWIRE

There was no reason to think the Cubs were going to get anything out of Carlos Silva, the unsvelte pitcher they got in return for Milton Bradley (we get the shakes even typing that name). Silva had gone 5-18 over the previous two years in Seattle. 'Nuff said. But an undefeated Silva won another game last night, giving up two runs and striking out four over six innings in the 6-2 victory. Tyler Colvin — you know, the guy Piniella rarely played and got all testy about a few days ago — had three hits, and Starlin Castro drove in two runs. Maybe we should be excited about the Cubs farm system after all.

MLB: Silva moves to 5-0 as Cubs top Rockies [+ video]
Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs play ace in Silva to keep word of Byrd
Daily Herald: Silva solidifies starting spot as Cubs top Rockies 6-2
Chicago Tribune: Cubs' Silva wins again

He Hate Z
The Zambrano Saga Takes Yet Another Turn
Let's do a little Carlos Zambrano 101 recap here. Big Z started out the season as the presumed staff ace. He started a few games and wasn't sharp (to say the least), then was exiled to the bullpen where he put up an unimpressive 6.23 ERA. Then on Monday, Big Z got moved from set-up man to long relief. And now, the saga continues: Zambrano is heading back to the starting rotation... after pitching the ninth in last night's game. "We're going to stretch him out to get him back in the rotation and we'll see exactly when he's ready," Piniella said. This saga has more drama than a Telemundo soap opera.

Chicago Sun-Times: Z's velocity deficit
Daily Herald: Big Z experiment cancelled
FOX Sports: Zambrano going back into Cubs rotation

Swap Meet
Is There a Conspiracy Behind Big Z Maneuvers?
In all this Big Z tomfoolery, there's one big question here: Why are the Cubs jerking Zambrano around like this? Maybe they really thought these moves were the right thing to do. But there's another theory out there that makes some sense: Steve Rosenbloom theorizes they're trying to get him so pissed he waives his no-trade clause. "This has to be what it's all about," he writes. "Why else would you completely humiliate and devalue the highest-paid pitcher on your staff?" Hmmm. Interesting.

Chicago Tribune: Are the Cubs this stupid or is the plan...

One Man Enter, One Man Leave
Who Leaves Rotation When Zambrano Returns?
There's a baseball saying: "You can't have too much pitching." The Cubs are going to test the accuracy of that aphorism, as Big Z's return to the rotation gives them six solid starting pitchers. But you can't have more than five pitchers there, so that creates a bit of a logjam. Another Cubs Blog has some advice: Tom Gorzelanny should head to the 'pen, even though that gives the Cubs 94 lefties out there. The blog also recommends the Cubs trade Silva, demote James Russell, and bring up Jay Jackson (see below). Busy busy.

Another Cubs Blog: So who is out?

Is Help on the Way?
Minor Leaguers Could Pitch in Soon for Cubs
Looks like some players at the minor-league level might soon be ready to help the cause. Andrew "Straight Cash, Homey" Cashner is continuing to wow at Iowa, allowing one run over six innings and improving to 2-0. Josh Vitters, the 20-year-old third baseman of the future, has been on a tear since being promoted to Double-A, hitting .393 and slugging .607. Sam Fuld — kind of a Reed Johnson lite — has an OBP of .409, while Jay Jackson, who's been tabbed as a potential bullpen call-up, continues to look strong.

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Cubs Minor League Wrap-Up

Mark Prior, now out of baseball, is trying one last shot at the majors. However, his return hit a snag when he took a line drive off the shoulder. Prior? Injured? Color us shocked... Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor delivered the game ball to umps before the game. Probably better than having her throw out the first pitch. That duty was handled by Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn. Va-va-va voom!

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