Barry Zito returning to A’s on minor league deal, sources say

OAKLAND, Calif. — Two people with knowledge of the agreement say left-hander Barry Zito is returning to the Oakland Athletics with the a minor deal that includes an invitation to major league spring training.

The people, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the A’s hadn’t announced the signing, say Zito would get a $1 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster. The deal was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Zito, 36, was taken by Oakland in the first round of the 1999 amateur draft and began his major league career with the A’s the following year. He signed a $126 million, seven-year contract before the 2007 season to join the San Francisco Giants but had a largely disappointing stint across the bay. He was left off the postseason roster for all three rounds in a 2010 championship run, then helped San Francisco win another World Series in 2012.