Phillies release right-hander Zambrano

After seven starts split between three Minor League levels, Carlos Zambrano's tenure in the Phillies organization has come to an end.

The club gave the veteran right-hander his unconditional release on Thursday, a little more than two months after Zambrano signed with Philadelphia. In seven Minor League outings, he went 3-0 with a 2.04 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings.

The 32-year-old, however, left a start in late June with shoulder pain and has not pitched since.

"Carlos was showing a pretty solid progression before his shoulder strain," said Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "Unfortunately, at this point, we feel that his chances of rehabbing and then pitching competitively for us in Philadelphia are remote. We felt that for Carlos and the Phillies this was the right thing to do at this time."

In 12 big league seasons, Zambrano has racked up 132 wins and 1,637 strikeouts. A three-time All-Star, he has spent his entire career in the National League, having previously played for the Cubs and Marlins.