Left on Base: Zambrano an Infielder?

Left on Base is MLB FanHouse's link dump.

You know Carlos Zambrano. He's the Cubs starting pitcher who can swing a power bat on occasion. He actually sports two Silver Slugger awards for his exploits with the lumber. Anyway, considering the Cubs have a rash of day-to-day injuries -- meaning they don't want to put any of them on the disabled list and, thus, have a short bench -- would the Cubs consider using him as more than a pinch-hitter? He was, after all, spotted taking ground balls at third base recently.

"I don't think so," Zambrano said. "My job is to pitch and any other thing is just playing around. But I'll try to help this team any way I can."

Too bad. It would be high comedy to watch Big Z play third base, where he likened himself to a Ken Caminiti-type fielder. As a side note, don't you love how pitchers always think they are so great at hitting and playing other positions?

*Tom Verducci of SI.com has a very solid piece on the Diamondbacks. Specifically, take a look back to last year at this time. The Snakes had stormed out of the gate (19-7 start) and were coming off having the best record in the National League. With nearly every key player on the team being under 30, they appeared to be on the verge of a dynasty. Now? Not so much ...

*Brad Hawpe took an errant throw to the neck on the basepaths Monday night, but it appears the news is as good as we could hope. He escapes with a bruised neck (CT scans showed no damage to his head or neck), will avoid a stint on the disabled list, and will be in uniform Tuesday night against the Padres.

*In a shocking development, Joel Hanrahan has lost his closing job with the Natinals. Hanrahan has allowed eight earned runs -- including Monday's go-ahead grand slam to Raul Ibanez -- in only 8 1/3 innings of work this season. Manager Manny Acta has indicated he'll go with a closer-by-committee approach. Good luck, Manny. Washington sports a 5.63 bullpen ERA, worst in the NL. It has also lost a major league high seven games. One of the few who has done a good job, Joe Beimel, should get most of the chances when he comes off the disabled list next week.

*At age 33, it's very possible Freddy Garcia's major league career is over. He attracted very little interest in the offseason, until finally signing a minor-league deal with the Mets. After two atrocious starts with the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, Garcia has been released. He says he still feels pain in his throwing shoulder, which was operated on in 2007.