Carlos Zambrano landed on the DL last week. The cause: a back problem. Big Z recently revealed to the press that he could have prevented the injury by following his conditioning program. Zambrano said that “my problem is I’ve been lazy”. Z promises that he’ll “be serious” and start doing his workouts. I would say that this is slightly less ridiculous than one of his previous DL stints. Zambrano found himself on the DL in 2005 from an elbow injury… that was attributed to instant messaging.
Via Chicago Tribune:
Admitting “my problem is I’ve been lazy” about between-start workouts, Carlos Zambrano vowed to “be serious” about a prescribed routine that will strengthen his stomach muscles.
Zambrano threw 45 pitches before Sunday’s rained-out game against the Pirates and is scheduled to start Aug. 25 against Washington after one rehabilitation start Thursday at Class A Peoria.
By that time, he will have faced only 16 major league batters in almost a month because of back spasms he first suffered Aug. 1 in Miami that eventually put him on the disabled list.
“My problem is I’ve been lazy,” a contrite Zambrano said. “There are things in life you don’t like to do, but you have to do them. I don’t like abs [abdominal muscle workouts], but I have to do them. I have to start doing them every day and be serious about it.”
Doctors are convinced stronger abdominal muscles will ease the pain on back discs, one of which is bulging and has caused Zambrano pain on and off for a few years.
“I’ve got to be honest with me and with you [media] guys and the fans. I’m 28 years old, I’m not 16 anymore,” Zambrano said. “I’m a big guy and I work hard every day, [but] one of the things I don’t like to do is my abs, my core work. If I do abs every day and keep doing my job and be serious about my abs, I’ll be OK.”
Tags: baseball, carlos zambrano, chicago cubs, injuries, MLB
