Barry Zito, who was demoted to the bullpen by the San Francisco Giants last week, will be promoted back to the starting rotation Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Zito hasn’t pitched since Apr. 27 in San Francisco, where he gave up seven hits and eight runs in three innings against the Reds, losing 10-1.
After the start, it was reported countless times that Zito was “demoted to the bullpen”. Zito had two “extended” bullpen sessions with pitching Coach Dave Righetti, making “tweaks”.
Giants Manager Bruce Bochy insisted that Zito would pitch at least once or twice out of the bullpen, and that this was not the planned course for him to take some time off.
Bochy explained that the Giants need five starters, and that Zito was the “obvious” choice to pitch in the rotation.
Obvious?
Whoever has their hand up Mr. Bochy’s ass needs to step down and walk away.
There seems to be a malfunction in the communication department for Giants’ management. Zito is "demoted" to the bullpen, and now he is back in the starting rotation before he even makes a bullpen appearance.
What was the point of that? Did they think by saying "bullpen" Zito's mental health would re-energize?
Now all of a sudden, Zito is the "obvious" choice for the starting rotation?
Why couldn’t they have come out and said what this exactly was: a break. They had no intention of pitching him in a reliever role; which would’ve been an even worse move had Zito pitched badly in a one inning appearance.
The Giants marketed this move horribly. It’s like Gerber coming out with Britney Spears as their spokesperson.
Did the rest help? Did he learn to throw a fastball in the mid/high 80s? Can he throw his off-speed pitches for strikes now?
Did he figure out what has been bothering him for over one season in one week of bullpen sessions?
Bochy hasn’t had a grip on the Giants ever since he stepped into the Managerial shoes. First Barry Bonds, and now Barry Zito.
I don’t know who has lost more, Zito or Bochy. Or did either one have anything to begin with?
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5 months ago
They should have done what every respectable major league team does with a starter who isn't preforming.
Fake an injury and send him to the DL for a few weeks.
from 5 months ago
Big Reg, I agree that is also another way of going about this situation. The Giants just seem all confused on how to handle Zito.
Pat Misch, the guy who came in long relief for Zito in the Reds game pitched pretty darn well, he seems like he could've held down his rotation spot for two weeks.
But on the other hand say Misch pitches extremely well, Zito comes back and bombs. Then the Giants are put in an even bigger hole.
The whole thing stinks.
5 months ago
Everyone knows the only reason he is back in the starting rotation is because ownership is complaining (rightfully so, but its their fault) about having a $100million guy as long relief in the bullpen. This has to be one of the biggest, and dumbest signings in the last 20 years. I put the Cubs signing Soriano to his monster contract at number 2.
from 5 months ago
Really Tyler, Soriano as two? Mike Hampton was pretttttttty bad. But as a Cubs fan, which I believe you are, I can see how you are bitter over Soriano's signing atleast he's played decent. At least better then Zito has.
5 months ago
I totally agree Bruce Bochy is lost. He can't figure anything out from the rotation to the lineup every day, he is just a mess. While some of that is obviously the talent level he is given to deal with, I find myself wondering about his moves all the time.
This one really bothers me because its almost as if the Giants backed down on their decision based off media pressure. Personally since he probably doesn't have Minor League Options I would have faked that injury and let him pitch a few games down there. Maybe those hitters get blown away by an 85 mph fastball, but not here.
And please give my boy Merkin Valdez a shot in the rotation, I understand he's great in the bullpen, but we aren't winning this year, send him down let him work up his arm strength in the minors. He is for real.
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