"Carlos Zambrano made his first start in nearly three months on Sunday in the Venezuelan Winter League, allowing two runs on four hits over 22/3 innings, including a home run to Cubs teammate Bryan LaHair.

Zambrano was making his debut for Los Caribes de Anzoátegui, his first start in nine years in his home country. Because he's returning after a long layoff, Zambrano was limited to three innings of work by his pitching coach, Mike Alvarez.

Zambrano showed a few signs of rust, committing a throwing error on a pickoff attempt, walking two men and hitting a batter. He struck out three of the 14 men he faced and threw 60 pitches. "