The winter leagues are wrapping up, and the Venezuelan Winter League is going out with a bang. During Friday's matchup between Navegantes del Magallanes and Caribes de Anzoategui, long-time Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano started throwing fists when teammate Ezequiel Carrera was plunked by pitcher Mayckol Guaipe. Zambrano went after Guaipe, knocking him to the ground and getting swarmed by teammates in the process.
Zambrano hasn't pitched in the majors since 2012, when he threw 132 1/3 innings with the Marlins. He spent two months with the Phillies last summer, making seven starts over three levels of the minor leagues. He's made nine starts in Venezuela this winter, striking out 25 and walking 23 in 42 innings.
This isn't Zambrano's first incident with a short fuse. He's been ejected for throwing at hitters, gone on emotional tirades in the dugout, and gotten very animated with umpires, so him starting a brawl because one of his teammates got hit is no surprise.
UPDATE: Zambrano apologized for the incident and asked for forgiveness.
[Hardball Talk via Huffington Post]
