"Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano was recovering Saturday after being hit in the face with a line drive during Friday night's start for Caribes de Anzoategui in the Venezuelan Winter League.

Zambrano was removed from the game after the liner hit him below the right bottom lip in the fifth inning.

A source said Zambrano received 16 stitches to close the wound at a local hospital.

"He's a bull," Caribes general manager Sam Moscatel said. "He's OK. We spoke (Friday) night after he had the surgery, and he said he wants to make his next start on Friday.""