MLB PLAYER NEWS

A’s veteran Zito to make likely last start of career

The Sports Xchange

September 29, 2015 at 4:39 am.

Sep 26, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Barry Zito (75) throws to the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of their MLB baseball game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 26, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Barry Zito (75) throws to the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of their MLB baseball game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Barry Zito will start Wednesday’s game against the Angels, likely the final start and appearance of his major league career.

Zito is replacing Sonny Gray, who was scratched because of tightness in his left hip. Zito will be pitching on three-days’ rest, coming off his start against Tim Hudson and the Giants on Saturday.

“I asked him if he was up for it, and he was very up for it,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said.

Zito spent the entire season at Triple-A Nashville before being called up last week, which was a surprise to many. Until the turn of events Monday, it was believed that the Hudson game would be Zito’s final major league start. Now Zito is getting another start he probably never thought he’d get.

“When you look at him come off the field (against the Giants Saturday), you (Zito) are thinking it’s certainly the last time you’re ever going to start,” Melvin said. “Potentially there may be an outing out of the bullpen. To start again, this is going to be a very motivated guy. So you kind of throw rest and pitch counts out the window with a guy like him.”

Zito is 165-143 with a 4.04 ERA in 15 seasons with the A’s and Giants. His best season came with Oakland in 2002 when he went 23-5 with a 2.75 ERA and one the American League Cy Young award.

Gray has been shut down for the season after going 14-7 with a 2.73 ERA.

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