It?s been quite a journey for Zink, who began his career in 2001 with Yuma of the independent Western League, signed with the Red Sox as an undrafted free agent a year later, and became a full-time knuckleballer in 2003.
Since then, the 28-year-old has experienced a breakout 2003 season in which he was named Red Sox minor league pitcher of the year, and a breakdown 2004 when he was 1-10.
This year, he?s 13-4 with a 2.89 ERA in 25 starts for Pawtucket. He leads the International League in innings (152), is tied for first in wins, and is third in ERA.
?It?s about time,? said former minor league roommate Manny Delcarmen. ?He?s put in his time, I?ll tell you that.?
The reports on Zink all season have been outstanding. He last pitched Friday, allowing three runs in seven innings against Charlotte, and will pitch on short rest tonight.
?Everyone knows this has sort of been a breakout year for him,? Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. ?If there?s ever a time, I see this as a really good opportunity to let him pitch.?
Delcarmen wants some credit for Zink even becoming a knuckleballer. While Zink?s fastball only touches the low-80s now, he said Zink was a hard-throwing reliever at low-A Augusta in 2002 who reminded him of former Sox farmhand Cla Meredith.
?He was throwing 92 with a nasty changeup,? Delcarmen said. ?Luis Tiant was his (college) pitching coach, so he had a real funky delivery and he threw hard.?
He also threw a knuckleball on the side that he occasionally unleashed during games. Whenever Delcarmen charted Zink?s pitches, he?d wiggle his hand toward the mound in a fluttering motion, begging Zink to throw it.
?Once he became a full-time knuckleballer, I couldn?t even play catch with him anymore,? Delcarmen said. ?He just kept hitting me so much. I had bruises everywhere.?
Justin Masterson played with Zink at Pawtucket this year and can?t wait to see his big league debut.
?He consistently comes out and pitches like you would expect a veteran to,? Masterson said. ?It?s not like he has a chip on his shoulder, but there?s a little bit of that. He?s been working so hard that many of us thought he should have been here already.
?He?s fun to watch. The demeanor of a knuckleballer is so laid back. They just go at it, slicing and dicing.?
He faces a stern test tonight against a Rangers squad that leads the majors in hits, runs and OPS.
?Hey, they?re a free-swinging team,? Delcarmen said. ?Hopefully his knuckleball dances even more than usual and he gets us a win. That would be pretty cool.?
