Zambrano is backup closer to Marmol?

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella tells ESPNChicago.com that he will use Carlos Zambrano as a backup closer to Carlos Marmol when Marmol needs a break. Usually, Marmol can go three days in a row, but he pitched Friday night and then chucked 35 pitches on Saturday, so he might need to sit on Sunday.

Zambrano has been pretty good since being shifted out of the starting rotation. In his last 2 1/3 innings he has only given up three hits with no runs or walks. He gave up a run in his first outing as a bullpen guy.

Marmol has saved four of the five games he’s been asked to close down. And at this point, there has been no talk of moving Zambrano back to the starting rotation, which we admit still baffles us.