Barry Zito is headed to the bullpen:

Zito was told the news before Monday's game, one day after he surrendered eight earned runs in three innings to the Reds and fell to 0-6 with a 7.53 ERA.

"We'll put Barry in the bullpen right now," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy after meeting with Zito. "We're going to back him off. He won't be making his next start. He'll be helping us in the bullpen."

Bochy would not give a timetable for Zito returning to the rotation. Lefthander Pat Misch, who relieved Zito on Sunday, will take his rotation spot and start Friday in Philadelphia.

In his major league career, Zito made just one relief appearance, and that was last season. The Giants are spending a lot of money right now on a middle reliever. Until he can get his strikeouts and walks to a reasonable rate, however, he's hurting the team, no matter when he pitches.