Zambrano injures left big toe

[aTrUeCUBsFaN]

06/11/2005 5:43 PM ET
Zambrano injures left big toe
Cubs starter forced to leave after awkwardslide into second
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

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CHICAGO -- Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano had to leave Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox after five innings because of a sprained left big toe. He was taken to a local hospital for precautionary X-rays.

Zambrano injured himself sliding into second base in the fifth inning against the Red Sox. He had singled to lead off the inning and was forced out at second.

He received treatment in the dugout after the slide, and took the mound for the sixth. But after a few warmup pitches, Zambrano signaled to the bench to take him out.

The right-hander had given up four runs on five hits and three walks over five innings while striking out eight. When he left, the game was tied, 4-4.

Zambrano came into the game with a 4-3 record. He won his last start against San Diego, throwing seven scoreless innings.

The Cubs already have two starting pitchers on the disabled list in Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Wood, who has a strained right shoulder, was to make his first injury rehab start Monday at Triple-A Iowa, while Prior, out with a compressed fracture in his right elbow, is able to play catch.

Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[General]

Man, if he goes, the Cubs lose the Big Three.

[aTrUeCUBsFaN]

Wood is on rehab, needs at least 2 starts in Iowa, so it won't be too bad. Jerome Williams has been pitching decent lately, he could sub if needed, and then the offense has really picked up some slack, so I think we will be okay for a bit.

[General]

Still, imagine if Nomar, Wood, Prior and Zambrano would be healthy. The Cubs would be a force to be reckoned with.

[aTrUeCUBsFaN]

We had that in April and part May, and we sucked huge time. So far, this team has been amazing. They are winning the games with fairly little.

[rockin500]

We had that in April and part May, and we sucked huge time. So far, this team has been amazing. They are winning the games with fairly little.

except wood wasnt really healthy then, he was pitching with that muscle bruise in his shoulder.