Carlos Zambrano has returned to the Cubs and claims he's ready to return to the starting rotation. "I'll be ready to pitch in any role they want me to pitch [in]," Zambrano said Saturday. "That's the question [Cubs manager] Lou [Piniella] has to answer [whether Zambrano starts]. I'm ready, I'm ready to pitch Tuesday, Thursday, anytime they want me to pitch. And I'm ready to go back into the starting rotation if they want me to go back. "I'm excited about the opportunity. Like I said, I need to build myself to be a successful pitcher again. And I think this is the opportunity for me." There is a spot in Chicago's rotation after left-hander Ted Lilly was traded to the Dodgers on Saturday. For now, rookie Thomas Diamond will fill the hole. Zambrano, who spent just over a month on the restricted list in the aftermath of a dugout altercation with teammate Derrek Lee, was activated Friday after a stint with Triple-A Iowa.