Giants' Zito Returns to Starting Rotation

Barry Zito, demoted to the Giants' bullpen last week, is returning to the starting rotation without having made any relief appearances.

Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said that Zito will start today's game in Pittsburgh. Zito, who a year ago signed a seven-year, $126 million contract, was sent to the bullpen last week after a terrible start. The left-hander lost his first six starts and had a 7.53 ERA.

Bochy made his announcement before last night's game.

Zito was San Francisco's Opening Day starter this season and is only the third pitcher since 1956 to go 0-6 before May, joining Texas's Dave Stewart (1984) and Detroit's Mike Maroth (2003).

The 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner with Oakland is a three-time all-star.

· BONDS'S OFFERS: The players' association has expressed concern to the commissioner's office over the lack of offers to Barry Bonds, asking for additional information about the offseason's free agent market.

The union did not go as far as to file a grievance on behalf of the 43-year-old outfielder, who remains unsigned and hasn't received any offers since the Giants decided not to re-sign him last year and he became a free agent.

· GRIFFEY TRADE?: Suggestions that the struggling Reds might trade Ken Griffey Jr. during the season are premature, GM Walt Jocketty said without ruling out that it could happen. The 38-year-old outfielder is in the final guaranteed year of his contract.

Griffey, who is batting .238, would have the right to block any trade.

-- From News Services