Big Z: 'I've been lazy'

Carlos Zambrano acknowledged Sunday that he had not adhered to a strict workout regimen to keep his abdominal muscles in shape.

Zambrano, 28, spoke with the media before Sunday's game. He vowed to work out harder after doctors told him that weak abdominal muscles helped to cause his back spasms, which forced him to the disabled list earlier this month.

Zambrano, who is 7-4 with a 3.35 ERA in 20 starts, will earn $17.75 million this season.

Here is a transcript of part of Zambrano's pregame interview with media members.

Q: How did the back pain start?

Zambrano: The day in Colorado, I was fine. I was doing all the exercises for my arm and rubbing my arm and my back. And after that, when I kind of did a move, like to stretch my back, I felt something. I didn’t want to say anything. I wanted to pitch. I kept going, it kept getting worse and worse. While I was dressing, it kept getting worse.

I went outside to play catch and I told Larry [Rothschild], 'I have to say something because I don’t want something to happen like in Miami. I don’t want to get worse.' I told Larry that I wasn’t feeling good and he better bring in somebody ready. I threw three pitches and it was over. I couldn’t pitch. It was like somebody was grabbing me from the back, tight.

Q: Could this be something that bothers you all season?

Zambrano: No. I’ve got to be honest with me and with you guys and with the fans. I’m 28 years old. I’m not 16 anymore. I’m a big guy. I work out every day hard with [strength coach Tim Buss]. One of the things that I’m going to have to do is my abs, my core. I have to do a lot of things like that because, you know, like the doctors say, I’m a strong man and I’m a big man. That’s what big men do. Wherever they are weak, they get that part stronger. My problem is that I need to do more abs. Have this strong, and my back will be strong. If I keep doing abs every day and doing my job and being serious on my job about abs, I’ll be OK.