Zink was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 2002 upon recommendation of former Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant, who coached Zink at Savannah College of Art and Design. After joining the organization, former Red Sox starting pitcher and fellow knuckleballer Tim Wakefield also spent time with Zink, primarily during their spring break and the off-season.\n', '

Zink began his career with the independent Yuma Bullfrogs in 2001. After signing with the Red Sox, Zink was the 2003 Sarasota Pitcher of the Year with a 3.90 ERA over 136 innings, the most he has thrown in a season at any level of play to date. In 2005, he went a combined 10-6 with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox and Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. Zink spent most of the 2006 season with Pawtucket, pitching 23 of 25 games there, posting a 9–4 record and a 4.03 ERA.\n', '

Zink split time between Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket in 2007. He opened the season with the PawSox, but was sent down to Portland on May 21. After posting a 9-3 record and a 3.98 ERA in Double-A, Zink was transferred back to Triple-A Pawtucket on August 3. Zink was used solely as a starter in 2007, whereas in previous seasons he was occasionally used out of the bullpen. Zink showed signs of brilliance during his time with Portland during May and June. At one point, he had compiled 8 starts of at least 5 innings pitched and only once allowed more than 3 earned runs during that stretch. A strained leg muscle caused him to miss a start, but in his first start after returning from the disabled list he surrendered a career high 12 earned runs in 4 innings. Even with the poor outing, Zink kept his 2007 Double-A ERA below 4.00 for the first time in his AA career (when making at least 7 starts).\n', '

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