Thu 9/29/11 2:09 PM

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.