Chicago Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano is out two or three weeks after being placed on the disabled list due to a strained left hamstring.

The right-hander was injured while running out a bunt for a hit in Sunday's win over the Florida Marlins. Zambrano pitched five innings and earned the victory before leaving. He is 3-1 with a 4.50 ERA on the season.

"He doesn't want to go on the DL which is the part of him we like, but at the same time the doctors feel probably he needs two, two-and-a-half weeks to be 100 percent and there is no reason to push it and it would be foolish on our part to push it and have it get worse," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.

YANKEES

A-ROD HITS HOMER

Alex Rodriguez hit a long homer, played seven innings in the field and drew a walk off Philadelphia's J.C. Romero yesterday in his latest extended spring training game at Clearwater, Fla.

The Yankees third baseman did not take questions after the game, which was played on the same day a book, "A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez," was scheduled for release. As he was leaving, a smiling and upbeat Rodriguez said he "feels good."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said it was possible Rodriguez could rejoin the team Friday.

ELSEWHERE

Phillies: Cole Hamels ran in the outfield to test his injured left ankle a day after Philadelphia bumped him from today's scheduled start, and manager Charlie Manuel said the left-hander was on track to start Friday at Atlanta.

Mets: Oliver Perez, a left-hander, is taking his 9.97 ERA to the New York Mets' bullpen. Manager Jerry Manuel said yesterday left-hander Ken Takahashi will replace the struggling Perez in the rotation.