Carlos Zambrano (back) allowed one unearned run over four innings Friday in a minor league rehab start with Low-A Peoria.

Big Z allowed three hits while walking three and striking out four. He threw 38 out of 63 pitches for strikes. He's expected to return from the disabled list for a start against the Marlins on June.

Slated to make a rehab start for Low-A Peoria on Friday, the Cubs are tentatively planning on Carlos Zambrano (back) rejoining the rotation on July 16 against the Marlins at Wrigley Field.

That would have Zambrano returning the first day he's eligible. His injury was never billed as serious, so it's an entirely plausible scenario.

Carlos Zambrano (back) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Friday with Single-A Peoria.

If all goes well, Big Z should be cleared to return to the Cubs' starting rotation shortly after the All-Star break. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list at the beginning of June with a sore lower back.

Carlos Zambrano (back) is expected to miss just two starts.

As expected, the Cubs think he should be able to return following the All-Star break. His fill-in, 38-year-old Ramon Ortiz, has thrown just 30 major-league innings since the end of the 2007 season.

Cubs placed RHP Carlos Zambrano on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury.

We're still not sure what the extent of Zambrano's injury is, as the Cubs have yet to reveal results of the MRI. But, indications are that it's probably more of a precautionary move as they let Big Z get some extra rest over the All-Star break. He should be ready for the start of the second half. Ramon Ortiz will be recalled to take Zambrano's spot in the rotation.

The Cubs could wind up placing Carlos Zambrano (back) on the disabled list as a precaution with the All-Star break coming up soon.

Zambrano was given an MRI Thursday and is being examined again Friday, but the Cubs have yet to release any results of the exam on revealed their plans for Big Z. But, it would make sense to play it safe and give him some extra rest before having him rejoin the team after the break. We should know for sure this afternoon what the Cubs will do.

Carlos Zambrano was sent to a local hospital for an MRI after leaving Thursday's start with back soreness.

Big Z was lifted in the second inning after throwing just 15 of his first 34 pitches for strikes. The Cubs will wait for the MRI results before making any kind of roster decisions. It's not yet known if the right-hander will need to be placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Carlos Zambrano left Thursday's start against the Giants in the second inning with lower back soreness.

It was a brief outing by Big Z, but an ugly one. He threw just 15 out of 34 pitches for strikes (including two walks) before being replaced by Marcos Mateo. We'll likely learn more about his status following the game.

Carlos Zambrano scattered three runs and seven hits across eight innings of work on Monday, improving to 6-4 in the Cubs' 6-3 win over the White Sox.

He struck out five and walked two. He allowed all three of his runs in the first before settling down to throw seven scoreless innings. Coming into tonight, Big Z had allowed 12 runs in just 12 1/3 innings over his past two starts. Through 16 starts and 104 innings, he owns a 4.50 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

A baseball executive told Wallace Matthews of ESPN New York that the Yankees have "zero interest" in the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano.

ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine had reported that the Yankees recently had scouts watching Zambrano pitch. His contract makes him nearly untradeable, but many felt the Yankees could be a fit because they can afford to eat a bad contract and could pair Zambrano with former pitching coach Larry Rothschild. But, it looks like Big Z probably isn't going anywhere.

ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine reports that the Yankees recently sent some top advisers to watch Carlos Zambrano pitch.

With a 4.50 ERA this year, $28 million owed to him through the end of next season and a volatile reputation, Zambrano isn't a very attractive trade piece. But, the Yankees might be a team willing to pick up his contract in a salary dump deal. Some of the Yankees' top evaluators have more interest in Ryan Dempster, who has $7.7 million remaining on his contract this year, as well as a $14 million player option for 2012. But, a deal for him is considered less likely.

Carlos Zambrano got tagged for five runs on nine hits in six innings of Chicago's 9-5 loss to the Brewers on Wednesday.

He struck out six and walked two. Zambrano has now allowed 12 runs in just 12 1/3 innings over his past two starts, ballooning his ERA from 3.98 to 4.59. He'll get the White Sox his next time out.

Carlos Zambrano returned to action on Tuesday May 31.

Carlos Zambrano hurled eight innings of one-run ball against the Astros Tuesday night but took a no-decision after Carlos Marmol melted down in the ninth inning.

Tough luck for Big Z, who had a stellar outing. He struck out seven and walked none, giving up seven hits. Big Z had his neck looked at by team doctors following Thursday's start, but he looked fine just five days later. The right-hander is 5-2 with a 4.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 53/24 K/BB ratio through 12 starts.

Carlos Zambrano (neck) said he'll be fine for his next start.

Big Z had his neck looked at by team doctors following Thursday's start, but he says he only has a knot and that "it's nothing to worry about." He blamed the soreness on the fact that he sleeps funny while watching TV.

Carlos Zambrano paid a visit to team doctors Thursday evening due to neck stiffness.

Big Z hurled six strong innings earlier in the day in the Cubs' 9-2 victory over the Mets. The right-hander should be fine to make his next scheduled outing.

Carlos Zambrano held the Red Sox to three earned runs over five-plus innings Saturday in a 9-3 victory.

The Cubs fell to a 3-1 deficit after six frames, but exploded for eight runs in the eighth inning thanks to some shoddy defense on the part of the Boston infield. Zambrano did his part, striking out two batters and pitching well in damage control. He'll carry a 4.88 ERA and 1.31 WHIP into his next start against the Pirates.

Sunday's game between the Giants and Cubs has been postponed due to rainy conditions at Wrigley Field.

Carlos Zambrano was scheduled to face Tim Lincecum in what should have been a fun mid-May matchup. The two starters will presumably be pushed back one game.

Carlos Zambrano held the Dodgers to one run over eight innings in a victory Wednesday.

Zambrano didn't earn a victory for his best performance of the year (0 R, 10 K in 8 IP against the Padres on April 18), but he's started off 4-1 anyway. With Zambrano at 107 pitches after eight, the Cubs decided against letting him go for his first complete game since 2009. Sean Marshall came in and pitched a scoreless ninth to finish the 5-1 win.

Carlos Zambrano pitched six innings of two-run ball to beat the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Zambrano gave up a two-run homer to Justin Upton in the first, but he was strong the rest of the way in improving to 3-1 with a 4.91 ERA. It doesn't look like he'll return to being a dominant starter anytime soon, but he should have more good outings than bad.