""Take your time, Zeets. No reason to rush back from that foot sprain. Make sure that thing is as good as healed."

Admit it. You either have said it, tweeted it, read it or thought it, especially with replacement starter Ryan Vogelsong excelling so. Asked Saturday if he knew those fans were not eager for his return, Barry Zito said no. Nor did he seem wounded by the sentiment.

"I don't subject myself to it," he said. "I keep my head where I've got to keep it. I think as veteran players, most of us stay out of the public forum. You stay out of it because you realize it has nothing to do with what you're working toward."

On Saturday afternoon, Zito was working in right field in a freezing mist, throwing off flat ground as video coordinator Danny Martin shot the scene from behind. Zito wants to watch himself throw to ensure he is landing normally on the injured foot. Otherwise, he could upset his mechanics.

Zito has thrown off a mound twice, including 45 pitches at full speed on his 33rd birthday Friday. He plans another bullpen session Monday with the next step a simulated game. Manager Bruce Bochy said earlier this week that Zito might be three to four weeks from returning."