Barry Zito not expected to make Giants’ playoff roster

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Barry Zito is the San Francisco Giants’ highest-paid player, at $126 million. Aaron Rowand is next, at $60 million.

Bruce Bochy, the Giants’ manager, was asked whether the club would find it embarrassing not to include Zito and Rowand on its playoff roster.

“Rowand will be on this roster,” Bochy said.

Bochy might well have tipped his hand. He made no such declaration about Zito, saying only that he would talk to the pitcher. After the Giants worked out Wednesday night, Zito said he had been told only that he would not start in the National League division series against the Atlanta Braves.

“I’m disappointed at myself for not cracking the rotation,” Zito said. “I feel I can help this team in the playoffs. I’ve got experience. I stand behind Bochy. He’s the skipper. I stand behind his decision.”

It would be an upset if Bochy disrupted an excellent bullpen to accommodate Zito as a long reliever, particularly since the Giants could use Madison Bumgarner in that role if they decide to start Tim Lincecum in Game 1 and –- on short rest –- in Game 4.

Zito pointed a finger at no one except himself. In his last 15 starts, he has won once. His record since Aug. 1 is 1-8, with a 6.14 earned-run average.

And, given the chance to pitch the Giants to the victory that would have clinched the NL West on Saturday, he walked home two runs and lasted just three innings.

“The last game is the thing that sticks out,” Zito said. “The money was on the table.”

-- Bill Shaikin in San Francisco