"I'll go to the Minor Leagues, take some at-bats, come back as a right fielder, left fielder," Zambrano said Saturday. "We can move [Alfonso] Soriano to second base."

Take a deep breath, Cubs fans. He was joking.

"Let's talk about pitching," Zambrano said.

OK. On Saturday, Zambrano gave up two runs on four hits and one walk over three innings, but he committed a throwing error that allowed two runs to score in the Cubs' 2-0 loss to the Brewers. Zambrano did get a hit when he singled to center leading off the third.

Why all the talk about hitting? On Friday, Dodgers manager Joe Torre inserted pitcher Randy Wolf into the No. 2 spot in the lineup against the Cubs to get him more at-bats. One of the first things Zambrano did Saturday was check to see where he was batting in the Cubs' lineup, hoping to bat third.

Instead, manager Lou Piniella stuck to tradition and kept the right-hander ninth. That's what led to the discussion on Zambrano's unlikely conversion to an outfielder.

Instead of extra at-bats, Zambrano's more focused on building up arm strength and starting every fifth day for the Cubs, beginning with Opening Day. Zambrano has gotten the season started in each of the past four years. Piniella said Saturday he'll let Zambrano and Ryan Dempster decide who gets the honor.

Does it matter to Zambrano?

"I care," Zambrano said seriously. "When you retire and you go home and your grandkids ask you what you did, or your family feels proud of you because you were the only one in Cubs history to make six, seven Opening Day starts, or you went to the Hall of Fame, for your own record, it's good."

If Piniella asks, Zambrano is ready.

"My answer would be me," Zambrano said. "I guarantee Dempster would say him."

Maybe the two could arm wrestle for the assignment. How about a home run contest?

"We're not trying to compete against each other," Zambrano said.

Against the Brewers on Saturday, Zambrano did strike out five. What happened in the second inning?

"I think I made a rookie mistake," Zambrano said. "You're supposed to throw nice and easy, don't rush, but I was trying to get the out and, obviously, it was too rushed. It happened. It's a good thing it happened here in Spring Training and not in the season. The good thing about this is my arm is getting in shape for the season, and that's the most important thing."

The Brewers did have a lot of their regulars in the lineup. The Cubs gave Zambrano the option of pitching in a simulated game rather than face their National League Central rivals.

"I said I want to face them," Zambrano said. "I want to feel like I'm close to the season. That's why I came here."

Facing hitters like Prince Fielder, Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks made it more "intense" for Zambrano, but he's ready for the regular season.

Zambrano is also keeping an eye on the World Baseball Classic and the Venezuelan team. He was listed on its roster, but opted out because he was considering LASIK surgery on his right eye. Zambrano says his eye is much better, and he has decided not to have the procedure. Why was he still listed on the roster?

"I don't know," Zambrano said. "Maybe [Venezuelan president Hugo] Chavez wanted me."