The Chicago Cubs are optimistic that ace Carlos Zambrano will return soon but are playing it safe by placing him on the 15-day disabled list.  Zambrano will miss both weekend series with their crosstown rivals, the White Sox.

The mild shoulder strain will cost Zambrano two starts but the Cubs made the move to prevent long-term complications from the injury.  The Cubs own the best record in baseball and Zambrano has played a huge role in getting them there.  He is 8-3 with a 3.13 ERA.

Eric Patterson was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take his spot on the 25-man roster.  It is Patterson's third stop with the team this season -- he is 2-for-14 in five games.

The Toronto Blue Jays placed starting pitcher Shaun Marcum on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with right elbow soreness.  To take his place on the 25-man roster, the Jays recalled outfielder Adam Lind from Triple-A Syracuse.  Toronto is expected to make another move on Friday to call up a starting pitcher to take Marcum's spot in the rotation.

Marcum, 26, is 5-4 with a 2.65 ERA and struck out 86 in 98 2/3 innings.  Right-handers are hitting just .169 against him and 11 of Marcum's 15 starts have been quality starts.

Lind gives the team some flexibility on the hitting side and the call up marks his second Major League stay of 2008.  In his first stop, Lind went 1-for-19 in six games.

The Blue Jays will need a starting pitcher for their game with the Atlanta Braves on June 27.  The top candidates at Triple-A Syracuse are John Parrish, David Purcey and Kane Davis.  Parrish is 10-0 with a 2.83 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings for Syracuse but the 30-year-old Parrish is 2-6 with an ERA over 6.00 in 10 career starts in the Majors.  Purcey made two starts earlier this season for the Jays and is 0-1 with an 11.05 ERA.  Davis is 6-6 with a 3.30 ERA at Triple-A and has not made a Major League start since 2000 when he played for the Cleveland Indians.  Davis -- who turns 33 on June 25 -- is 0-2 with a 15.43 ERA in those two starts.