Baseball is a game ruled by traditions and superstitions so sacred that stepping out of line from them is as sacrosanct as burning the American flag. San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito has always been a prime example of our national pastime’s idiosyncrasies, with the elaborate pregame routine that has to be followed to the letter before he feels he can be a force on the mound. Tonight, however, a new wrinkle will be added to the warmup after 12 years in the majors—getting ready for a start after spending time on the disabled list.
The Giants' lefty had never missed a start due to injury in 12 full seasons until this year, when he suffered a right mid-foot sprain while trying to field a bunt against the Diamondbacks on Apr. 16 that landed him on the 15-day disabled list(DL). Tonight, Zito gets the start in the second game of a double-header against the Chicago Cubs, and presumably will get two more chances before fellow left-hander Jonathan Sanchez landing on the DL with soreness in his left biceps.
In his first rehab stint as a pro, Zito turned the clock back to near his 2002 Cy Young award-winning form, posting a 4-0 record with a 2.20 ERA while striking out 23 and only walking seven.
His most sparkling performance of his trip to the minor leagues was a 118 pitch, 7 strikeout two-hit shutout on a 95 degree night for the Giants' Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies. Zito's gem grew more and more impressive as the game went on, with the 33 year-old picking up 5 of his strikeouts against the last 11 batters he faced.
In a change from the struggles that have made him a whipping boy for Giants' fans, Zito's command was sharp during his minor league stay. His shutout on Jun 21—his first since 2003, against the Salt Lake City Bees was an example of how dominant Zito can be when he can put his pitches where he wants them. 75 of his 118 pitches were strikes. At the major league level this season, the eccentric left-hander's stats were mediocre at best, with a 0-1 record in 3 starts with a 6.23 ERA and an unimpressive 8 walks and 6 strikeouts.
With No.2 starter Jonathan Sanchez slumping recently and himself landing on the 15-day DL with tendonitis in his left biceps, the Giants and Zito are excited for his return to the rotation. If the snap on his signature 12-6 curve ball and control of his pitches that was on display in the minor leagues follows him back to the Majors, Barry Zito has a great opportunity to take back his place in the starting rotation.
Defying all expectations, his replacement Ryan Vogelsong, 32, has been the stalwart of the Giants' formidable pitching staff, giving up no more than 2 runs in any start and posting a 1.84 ERA after going seven years without a Major League win until the 2011 campaign. With Vogelsong's dominance, the only ostensible way for Zito to return to the rotation this year is to shine in place of the injured Sanchez.
Sanchez, 28, has been inconsistent in his last few starts, going just 4 2/3 innings against the Cleveland Indians last Friday. His 6 walks in that outing give him 25 over his last 25 2/3 innings and was the second time in as many starts that the left-hander failed to last a full 5 frames.
All eyes will be on Barry Zito while he fills in for the Giants' other injured lefty in his next three starts. Success will force a very difficult decision on manager Bruce Bochy over what to do with his rotation when all of his starters are healthy again. Failure—which in Zito's case is anything less than perfection to most fans, will likely land him a role as long reliever in the bullpen.
Sources:
Doug Miller, Vogelsong, Zito go for Giants in twin bill at Wrigley, MLB.com
Daniel Lyght, Zito scorches Bees in Grizzlies' shutout win, Fresno Bee
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