"Barry Zito is on the disabled list for the first time in his 12-year career, and as a consequence, Ryan Vogelsong is a Giant for the first time in nearly a decade.

With Zito on crutches and his sprained right foot immobilized in a boot, the Giants purchased Vogelsong's contract from Triple-A Fresno. Vogelsong is tentatively scheduled to take Zito's place in the rotation Friday, but his turn could be skipped if he's needed in relief during the three-game series at Coors Field that begins Monday.

An MRI exam confirmed Zito has a midfoot sprain -- a rare and fluke injury that normally afflicts football players and ballet dancers. Zito hurt himself while pushing off to catch a popped-up bunt attempt in the second inning Saturday.

"It's definitely been a blessing to wait till my 12th season to hear those words," Zito said of the D.L. "It's just weird. It's a weird injury. It's weird all around. The car accident (on March 30) was weird."

The injury could be a blessing in disguise, Giants manager Bruce Bochy noted. The Giants weren't hiding their eyes to Zito's 83 mph fastballs in recent weeks."