Cubs' Zambrano says shoulder feels sound

MESA, Ariz. -- Big Z says his shoulder is just fine and he'd like to look ahead, rather than back to last season.

Carlos Zambrano is showing no signs of the problems that hampered him last season, although the team is taking a conservative approach with its ace this spring.

"Physically, I feel the best I've ever felt in spring training," Zambrano said Monday after a free-and-easy throwing session against hitters. "I'm not a rookie. I know what to do, and I know my job here is to get ready."

Last season he had a stint on the disabled list in June -- his first trip to the DL in six years -- and needed an injection in early September for a sore shoulder. But later that month, he pitched a no-hitter against the Astros.

Zambrano spent the offseason strengthening his shoulder, and the Cubs sent a trainer to his native Venezuela to work with him.

"It's important," he said. "I won't want that to happen to me again this year."

Zambrano went 14-6 with a 3.91 ERA last season. He was 10-3 with a 2.84 ERA in 18 starts before the All-Star game -- in which he pitched two innings. But after the break, he was 4-3 in 12 starts with a 5.80 ERA. He also was the loser in Game 2 of the playoffs against the Dodgers when shaky Chicago fielding led to four unearned runs.

He's not scheduled to pitch in a spring training exhibition until Monday.

"We're holding him back a little bit," manager Lou Piniella said. "Couple more throw days to face hitters and then maybe throw him in a little simulated game."

Zambrano, who signed a five-year, $91.5 million contract in August 2007, has been known for his durability -- 200-plus innings five straight years before last season.