Barry Zito pitched a four-hitter for his first shutout since 2003 as the Giants beat the Rockies 7-0 on Monday.

Just what we were expecting: Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain combine to give up 14 runs in 15 1/3 innings as the Giants were swept by the Diamondbacks over the weekend and Zito goes and pitches his first shutout in nine years for the team's first win. The Giants will be thrilled if Zito can rebound to something close to 2010 form this year (he went 9-14 with a 4.15 ERA that season). Don't get too excited about the one gem.

The Giants have asked Barry Zito to tweak his delivery following another shaky appearance Friday.

Zito came to camp with an altered motion, but after a 7.91 ERA and 13/12 K/BB ratio over 19 1/3 innings, the Giants want him to go back to something closer to his original delivery. He'll pitch in a minor league game Wednesday rather than against the A's as originally planned. "He's lost some confidence," manager Bruce Bochy said. "We've got to get that back."

Barry Zito was tagged for five runs over three innings Friday against the Padres.

Yet another shaky performance. Zito gave up seven hits while walking three and striking out none. He now owns an ugly 7.91 ERA and 13/12 K/BB ratio over 19 1/3 innings this spring. Ryan Vogelsong and Eric Surkamp will both begin the season on the disabled list, so the Giants don't have any choice but to keep him in the rotation. He shouldn't be on any fantasy rosters.

Barry Zito allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks over 2 1/3 innings in Sunday's loss to the White Sox.

He managed three strikeouts and served up a two-run homer to A.J. Pierzynski. Zito has been extremely shaky this spring. He currently holds a 6.61 ERA and 14/12 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings.

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.

Barry Zito (ankle) threw 50 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday.

Zito, who is currently nursing foot and ankle injuries, could be ready to pitch in a game by mid-September. "Making progress the way he's going right now, sure, I could see him helping us before the season's over," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. "And that's good news."

Barry Zito (ankle) threw a bullpen session Sunday.

Zito said he still has a little bit of swelling in his ankle, but it's getting much better. He should be able to resume his rehab assignment before long and return sometime in September.

Barry Zito is expected to be sidelined for a while after spraining his ankle in Saturday's rehab start for Triple-A Fresno.

X-rays on the ankle proved to be negative, but there's a lot of swelling. "It looks like there's a baseball in there," Bochy said. With Jonathan Sanchez appearing to be locked into a rotation spot despite his struggles, Zito likely wasn't going to get another shot anytime soon, anyway.

Barry Zito (foot) was removed Saturday's rehab start with Triple-A Fresno.

Zito twisted his leg coming off the mound to field a ball and had to be helped off by trainers. The Giants already indicated that Jonathan Sanchez would remain in the rotation so this is just the icing on the cake. Stay tuned for the extent of the injury.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Barry Zito (foot) will make at least one more rehab start before returning.

No surprise there. Zito looked good for Single-A San Jose Monday, allowing three runs over 7 2/3 innings. The foot isn't really a concern, as it's pretty clear he was placed back on the DL with a phantom injury, but the Giants are committed to giving Jonathan Sanchez another shot in the rotation. Zito might return as a long reliever.

Pitching for Single-A San Jose in his first rehab start, Barry Zito gave up three runs on seven hits over 7 2/3 innings.

Three hits and two runs were surrendered in the first inning. Afterward, Zito settled down nicely in what turned out to be a surprisingly long rehab start. Expect more rehab starts from Zito as the veteran tests his foot while continuing to work through his July struggles.