Notebook: Zambrano accepts blame

Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano blamed himself for Friday’s fight with teammate Michael Barrett that started in the dugout, resumed in the clubhouse and left the catcher needing six stitches at a hospital.

“It’s all my fault,” Zambrano said Saturday. “That’s all I can say. I feel bad for that.”

The Cubs fined Zambrano and Barrett an undisclosed amount. Neither was suspended.

“I think it happened because Zambrano and I are so close,” Barrett said. “I think of him like a brother. It’s like a sibling rivalry.”

Meanwhile, the Cubs found more trouble. Manager Lou Piniella was ejected during the eighth inning of the Cubs’ game against the Atlanta Braves in Chicago, kicking dirt and throwing his cap after Angel Pagan was thrown out trying to steal third.

Launch delayed

Roger Clemens of the New York Yankees was scratched from Monday’s start against the Chicago White Sox because of a fatigued right groin. Clemens first experienced the pain during his last minor league outing, for Triple-A Scranton on Monday.

Collision course

Yankees first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz will be placed on the 15-day disabled list after colliding with Boston’s Mike Lowell on an errant throw by shortstop Derek Jeter.

Mientkiewicz was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where tests revealed a mild concussion, cervical sprain and a fractured bone in his right wrist.

Clearing the bases

Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz had his scheduled start pushed back from today to Tuesday because of discomfort in his right shoulder and an injured right pinkie finger. … Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jason Schmidt will return from a nearly seven-week layoff because of an inflamed right shoulder to start Tuesday night. … Yankees pitcher Scott Proctor was told he won’t be suspended for hitting Boston infielder Kevin Youkilis – the fifth hit batsman in Friday’s game.