Carlos Zambrano signs with Long Island Ducks

Former Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano signed with the Long Island Ducks. (Al Bello/Getty Images Sport).

Long-time Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, reports Chris Cotillo of CLNS Radio.

Zambrano, known for occasional dust-ups on the mound and in the clubhouse, was unable to catch on with a Major League team this season and is likely hoping that, if he succeeds with the Ducks, he can catch on with a club later this summer.

Zambrano played 11 seasons with the Cubs and was a three-time All-Star. Though erratic, he emerged as one of the game's best pitchers. His crowning moment came in 2008, when he threw the first no-hitter by a Cubs pitcher in 36 years. That night, against Houston, Zambrano struck out 10 and walked only one.

But his volatile time in Chicago ended three years later. In August 2011, after being ejected from a game, he cleaned out his locker and said he was retiring. He spent the last two months of the season on the restricted list. In the offseason, the Cubs traded him to the Marlins.

Zambrano went 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA last year for the Marlins. He was moved to the bullpen in July.