Barry Zito labored through five innings Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, giving up three runs on seven hits and four walks. He accumulated three strikeouts and served up a two-run bomb to Gerardo Parra. Zito is working on an altered delivery this spring, and the results haven't been terribly impressive, as he holds a 4.50 ERA and 11/10 K/BB ratio over 14 innings.

Barry Zito surrendered two earned runs in a four-inning outing Thursday night against the Mariners. Zito struck out four, but he also yielded four hits -- including a Mike Carp home run -- and walked two batters. The 33-year-old left-hander is now sporting a 4.00 ERA through three Cactus League starts. He can be avoided in pretty much all fantasy formats this year.

Barry Zito has altered his delivery in hopes of gaining more movement on the ball. Zito is crouching more and trying to use his legs more. Though the goal is to add more movement, and he wouldn't mind adding a bit more velocity, as well. The veteran left-hander suffered through an injury-plagued 2011 season that saw him post a 5.87 ERA over 13 games -- nine starts. He pitched pretty well for the Giants the previous two years, though, and has a good shot to bounce back and be a solid back-end starter.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy indicated Thursday that Barry Zito will compete for the fifth spot in the starting rotation next season. His main competition will be Jonathan Sanchez, as the Giants feel Eric Surkamp isn't quite ready. Zito posted an ugly 5.87 ERA and 32/24 K/BB ratio over 53 2/3 innings this season, but the Giants have no current plans to eat the roughly $46 million (including the $7 million buyout for 2014) remaining on his contract.

New Giants' managing general partner Larry Baer "strongly hinted" on Thursday that Barry Zito will be back with the team in 2012. The Giants apparently aren't ready to buy out Zito and the roughly $39 million he's set to make between now and 2014, when the final season of his seven-year, $126 million deal can be bought out for $7 million. The 33-year-old southpaw has been dreadful in 49 2/3 innings this season, posting a 5.62 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 28/20 K/BB ratio.

Barry Zito is unlikely to start again this season. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Zito will soon get a chance to pitch, presumably out of the bullpen. While Bochy didn't rule out giving Zito a start, he said the chances were very slim with 15 games left. Zito has a 5.62 ERA in nine starts this season and has spent long stretches on the disabled list. The southpaw is still owed $19 million next season, $20 million in 2013, and a $7 million buyout in 2014.

Giants activated LHP Barry Zito from the 15-day disabled list. He has been shelved since the first day of last month with foot and ankle injuries. Expect Zito to pitch out of the bullpen initially, but he could draw a spot start or two before all is said and done. Zito has a 5.62 ERA in nine starts this season and has spent long stretches on the disabled list. The southpaw is still owed $19 million next season, $20 million in 2013, and a $7 million buyout in 2014, but may have to compete with Eric Surkamp and Jonathan Sanchez for the fifth spot in the starting rotation next season.

Barry Zito (ankle) could be activated Sunday if all goes well during pregame fielding practice. Zito is expected to pitch the majority of the season from the bullpen, while possibly drawing a spot start or two. The veteran lefty has been sidelined since early August.

Barry Zito (ankle) could be activated from the disabled list as early as Saturday if he shows enough mobility in fielding practice. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Zito's role would be to "help out anywhere," which basically translates into "long relief." He could wind up with some starts down the stretch if situations dictate it.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy indicated Tuesday that Barry Zito may not be a starting pitcher next season. "We'll have to sit down and talk about it," said Bochy. "I can't answer that." Zito has a 5.62 ERA in nine starts with the Giants this season and has spent long stretches on the disabled list. The southpaw is still owed $19 million next season, $20 million in 2013, and a $7 million buyout in 2014, but may have to compete with Eric Surkamp and Jonathan Sanchez for the fifth spot in the starting rotation next season.