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Ex-teammates Zito, Hudson to face off

 
Tim Hudson, left, and Barry Zito were part of the A’s Big Three.
Tim Hudson, left, and Barry Zito were part of the A’s Big Three.
Published Sept. 23, 2015

OAKLAND, Calif. — It will be Tim Hudson vs. Barry Zito on Saturday, just as much of the baseball-crazed San Francisco Bay area begged for in what could be the last hurrah for the two former Athletics pitchers.

A's manager Bob Melvin told Zito on Tuesday that he would start against Hudson and the Giants at the Coliseum. Zito, who was at Triple-A Nashville until last week, might be able to throw around 50 pitches in his first major-league start this year.

"It's icing," Zito, 37, said after a throwing session and visit to the training room. "I came to peace with the fact that Omaha was my last start. I had an inning in the Sunday game. Monday was our last game. The team threw me a little party, we had a baseball piñata in there and a champagne shower, because I was thinking this probably would be it. … I definitely didn't think this was going to happen. This is all bonus, like triple-bonus situation right now."

Hudson, 40, plans to retire after the season, and Zito might join him.

MARLINS SEARCH: Former major-league manager Manny Acta interviewed for the Marlins' job, and Miami also is in conversations with ex-manager Dusty Baker. Current manager Dan Jennings reportedly was unaware that the team was interviewing candidates for his job.

PHILS EXTEND MANAGER: The Phillies announced that Pete Mackanin will be their manager in 2016. Mackanin replaced Ryne Sandberg on an interim basis on June 26.

CLOSER BANNED: The Tigers sent RHP Bruce Rondon home "because of his effort level," said manager Brad Ausmus, who declined further comment.

TULO HEALING: Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki played catch for the first time since breaking his left shoulder blade 10 days earlier, but there's still no timetable for his return.

ROYALS: Former Rays RHP Wade Davis will take over as closer from struggling RHP Greg Holland, manager Ned Yost said. … 2B Omar Infante is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a strained oblique muscle.