Cubs acquire RHP Chris Volstad from Miami for RHP Carlos Zambrano and cash

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today acquired right-handed pitcher Chris Volstad from the Miami Marlins for right-handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano and a cash consideration.

Volstad, 25, is 32-39 with a 4.59 ERA (298 ER/584.0 IP) in 103 major league appearances (102 starts) with the Marlins the last four seasons (2008-11).  The 6-foot-8, 230-pound righthander has made at least 29 starts for the Marlins each of the last three years, including a career-best 30 starts in 2010 when he went 12-9 with a 4.58 ERA (89 ER/175.0 IP).

Originally selected by the Marlins in the first round (16th overall) of the 2005 Draft out of high school, Volstad made his major league debut with the Marlins midway through the 2008 campaign at the age of 21, going 6-4 with a 2.88 ERA (27 ER/84.1 IP) in 15 big league outings, 14 as a starting pitcher his rookie season.  He made his first major league Opening Day roster in 2009 and went 9-13 with a 5.21 ERA (92 ER/159.0 IP) in 29 starts during his first full big league season that year.  Volstad followed up with his strongest full major league campaign in 2010.

Volstad went 5-13 with a 4.89 ERA (90 ER/165.2 IP) in 29 starts last year with the Marlins.  He finished strong by posting a 2.41 ERA (10 ER/37.1 IP) in his final six starts, allowing two earned runs or less in each of his final six outings while tossing at least six innings in five of those starts.  Volstad began the season with the big league club but was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on July 23.  He was recalled to the big leagues on August 12 and, despite going winless, posted a 3.48 ERA (21 ER/54.1 IP) in nine starts upon his return to the majors. 

A native of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Volstad graduated from Palm Beach Gardens High School in 2005.   

Zambrano departs the Cubs with a 125-81 record and a 3.60 ERA (731 ER/1,826.2 IP) in 319 appearances, 282 as a starter, in 11 seasons (2001-11).  He went 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA (78 ER/145.2 IP) in 24 starts for the Cubs last year before being placed on the disqualified list on August 13, missing the remainder of the season. 

Originally signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent on July 12, 1997, Zambrano holds the franchise record with 23-career home runs as a pitcher.