Doubtful That Oakland Athletics Will Call-Up Barry Zito

Ever since Barry Zito signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics, all of the fans have been anticipating the moment when this A’s veteran would take the mound at the O.Co Coliseum. Unfortunately, he has been with the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate, the Nashville Sounds, for the entire 2015 season. However, with all of the recent injuries plaguing the A’s starting rotation, many are hoping that Zito could finally have the chance to make his big return to the Major Leagues.

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Sadly, it does not look as though this will happen. Zito has been on the disabled list since early August with shoulder discomfort. He has yet to begin any type of rehab assignment, so it is unlikely he will be healthy for September call-ups. It was an unfortunate time for Zito to come down with an injury, but perhaps making a return to the MLB was never in the cards for him.

Even if Zito was healthy, it is doubtful that the A’s would bring him up to Oakland for a few different reasons. For one, he is not on the 40-man roster. It seems as though the A’s are now overflowing with young, quality players who all deserve some time in the lineup. It would be quite tricky to get Zito on the 40-man roster. The A’s would need to designate a player for assignment and risk losing that player since he would have to be placed on waivers. This is a chance the Athletics are probably not willing to take.

Additionally, he did not have good start to the Triple-A season. He struggled during the first month and a half before regaining his footing. Zito did end up settling down by the end of May, but the missteps he made earlier in the season definitely hurt his ERA and his chances of making it back to the Majors. There are many other more successful minor leaguers who Oakland is going to want to see perform at the MLB level when September call-ups come around.  

It would be amazing for the Athletics nation if Zito was able to take the mound once more in Oakland. Sadly, with the season drawing to a close, it looks as though he will not get that opportunity. Perhaps the Oakland Athletics could do something else in order to honor Zito since the minor league season ends before the MLB season.

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