Giants’ roster cuts include Barry Zito, Jose Guillen
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The San Francisco Giants did not include pitcher Barry Zito or outfielder Jose Guillen on their roster for the National League division series that opens Thursday against the Atlanta Braves.
Zito, whose name usually is followed by a reference to his $126-million contract, is 1-8 with a 6.14 earned-run average since Aug. 1. As he noted Wednesday, he had failed when the Giants gave him the chance to clinch the NL West on Saturday; he walked home two runs and lasted three innings.
Guillen has a sore neck and a cold bat; he is hitting .121 in his past 12 games.
The Giants also dropped reliever Chris Ray, whom they acquired from the Texas Rangers for catcher Bengie Molina. The primary purpose of the trade was to clear the catcher’s spot for Buster Posey, who had been playing first base. The trade enabled the Giants to boost their offense by playing Pat Burrell in left field and moving Aubrey Huff to first base. Whatever Ray did, well, that was just gravy.
The complete Giants’ playoff roster is here, thanks to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
-- Bill Shaikin in San Francisco