"The Giants this morning will announce a Division Series roster that does not include pitcher Barry Zito, the team's highest-paid player, a source said Wednesday night, several hours after manager Bruce Bochy said either Madison Bumgarner or Tim Lincecum would start a potential Game 4 in Atlanta.

Zito's exclusion is not surprising, given his performance in Saturday's possible division-clinching game against San Diego at AT&T Park. In a broader sense, this is stunning for a player who was given $126 million over seven years not only to pitch the Giants into the postseason, but also to be a face of the franchise in the post-Barry Bonds era.

After Wednesday's workout, Zito was ready to assign blame.

"I'm disappointed in myself for not cracking that rotation," he said.

After consecutive solid performances against Arizona, Los Angeles and Milwaukee in September, Zito seemed to have pitched himself into the postseason picture. Then, he was knocked out in the fifth inning of a 10-9 loss at Colorado on Sept. 25. Worse, he walked home two first-inning runs in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Padres. The Giants won the West the next day behind Jonathan Sanchez.

"The last game is what sticks out," Zito said. "When the money was on the table, I didn't go out and attack the zone like I should have. Luckily, Sanchez picked me up the next day and we won the division."

Zito said he can help the Giants later in the postseason if needed, even in the bullpen. Though he was not happy with the news, he said, "I stand behind Bochy. He's the skipper.""