"It turns out Jonathan Sanchez needed more than just a mental break. The Giants acknowledged the left-hander could use a couple of weeks to recharge his arm, too, while placing him on the 15-day disabled list with left-biceps tendinitis.

The club activated Barry Zito from the disabled list a half-hour before Saturday's game and made him available in case they needed emergency innings from the bullpen. The plan remains for Zito to start one of the games in Tuesday's doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Although Zito will take Sanchez's place in the rotation, the Giants still must find an extra starting pitcher on their upcoming trip or bring back someone on short rest -- a consequence of playing six games in five days.

But the decision was made: They couldn't run Sanchez out there one more time.

"We have to do what's right," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "The move was made because Jonny needs a break. The trainers had it under control, but if you don't knock it out, gradually, it gets worse. It was starting to affect him early in the game. You could see his velocity going down."

Sanchez proclaimed himself healthy as recently as Friday night, after he walked six and hit a batter in 4?2/3 innings. He leads the majors with 59 walks, including 25 in 25?2/3 innings over five starts in June."