Zambrano apologizes for leaving Cubs

CHICAGO, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Suspended Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano apologized Monday for leaving the team after an ejection, saying he wants to return to the club.

The volatile Cubs right-hander said during a radio interview he was sorry for his actions and indicated he wanted to be "a Cubbie for the rest of my life."

Zambrano was put on the 30-day disqualified list without pay after cleaning out his locker and telling clubhouse personnel he was retiring following an ejection from Friday's loss in Atlanta.

Zambrano had allowed five homers in the shellacking and was tossed by umpires after hitting Dan Uggla with a pitch and throwing inside to Chipper Jones.

In an interview on WGN-AM, Chicago, Monday, Zambrano was asked if he wanted to remain a Cub and he answered: "Of course, man. Hey, the Cubs have been my family ... . I want to keep pitching for the Cubs. It was a moment of frustration Friday night and I [felt] so bad that I wanted to quit, I wanted to retire."

The 30-year-old pitcher, who has been with the Cubs organization since he was 16, denied intentionally throwing at Uggla and Jones and indicated he hadn't talked to Cubs Manager Mike Quade or General Manager Jim Hendry since the incident, the Chicago Tribune reported.