Giants retire Irvin’s No. 20

Monte Irvin will leave the pioneer status to Jackie Robinson, the first African-American major leaguer. Yet those who admired Irvin and played alongside him know how much he also did to break down the color barrier.

The 91-year-old Irvin, a Hall of Famer who became the first black player in Giants history when he signed with the club on July 8, 1949, had his No. 20 retired Saturday during an on-field ceremony at AT&T Park before the Giants hosted the Boston Red Sox.

“Now I feel like my life in baseball is complete,” Irvin told the sellout crowd.

It was unveiled high above left field at the Legends Suite next to the No. 24 of Willie Mays, the man Irvin roomed with early on and also mentored like a big brother.

Mays and fellow Giants Hall of Famers Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey, Gaylord Perry and Orlando Cepeda all were on hand for the festivities to honor Irvin.

Zambrano sent to pen

Carlos Zambrano no longer has a spot in the Chicago Cubs’ rotation after a wild outburst in the dugout that led to an indefinite suspension from the team.

Manager Lou Piniella, speaking before Saturday’s game, says Zambrano will pitch out of the bullpen when he returns, and the move is “not short-term, that’s for sure.”

Less-action Jackson

Arizona’s Edwin Jackson may get some extra rest after throwing 149 pitches to complete the fourth no-hitter of the major league season.

Diamondbacks manager A. J. Hinch said Saturday that the team is exploring several options to ensure Jackson’s arm recovers before his next start. One possibility is pushing the outing back one or two days.

“We’re looking at a lot of options. More than likely we’ll give him an extra day or two,” Hinch said before Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. “We’ll see how the next couple games go, but we’re definitely leaning that way.”

Jackson is scheduled to start Wednesday.

Clearing the bases

The Boston Red Sox acquired infielder-outfielder Eric Patterson from the Oakland Athletics for minor league pitcher Fabian Williamson. Patterson gives the Red Sox added depth after second baseman Dustin Pedroia suffered a broken left foot. … Braves rookie Jason Heyward was limited to late-inning duty and said he doesn’t expect to play today. Heyward has been bothered by a sore left thumb for more than a month.