Marlins move "embarrassed" Zambrano to bullpen

Miami Marlins right-hander Carlos Zambrano was taken out of the starting rotation and moved to the bullpen Monday while he tries to work out his struggles.

Zambrano, 5-9 with a 4.54 ERA in 20 starts, pitched in relief of Mark Buehrle on Monday. He allowed an unearned run, striking out three batters in 1 2/3 innings in his first relief appearance since Aug. 4, 2010.

Zambrano will be replaced by lefty Wade LeBlanc, whose first start of the season is scheduled for Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves.

"I think we need that," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I think we need to take a look at LeBlanc for a couple starts. It wasn't an easy move."

Zambrano had a 3.24 ERA in April and a 3-1 record with a 2.85 ERA in May. But his last two outings have been puzzling. He walked six and allowed five runs (four earned) in 3 1/3 innings July 21 at Pittsburgh before surrendering five runs (four earned) while walking four in five innings against San Diego on Friday. His 67 walks are second in the NL.

"He was disappointed. He was embarrassed," Guillen said of Zambrano's reaction to the move. "(He feels) bad because we brought him here and he's not doing it the way he thinks he can do it."

Zambrano could start Friday when Miami plays a doubleheader at Washington, depending on how he is used the next few days. Josh Johnson will start one of the doubleheader games.

Another option for the doubleheader is right-hander Jacob Turner, who made his first start for Class AAA New Orleans on Saturday after being acquired in the trade that sent Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez to Detroit.

LeBlanc is 1-1 with a 1.15 ERA in seven innings.