Brandon Webb

It will be four to six weeks before Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb starts throwing - and he admits he has to overcome mental hurdles as well - but he wants to pitch again this season. If he does that, it won't be enough just to make a token appearance or two.

"If I want to play next year, whether it's here or somewhere else, I've got to show somebody I can throw," he said. "To myself, I've got to get confidence back out there on the mound that I need to carry into the off-season."

The former Cy Young Award winner has seen five specialists and has had three MRI exams, and the consensus was surgery was not needed. The diagnoses pointed to an "internal impingement," and Webb said strengthening the area combined with rest should fix the problem. "All of them said the same thing, that nothing really jumps out at them as looking abnormal," he said.

AZ Central

Jake Peavy said the same thing today. "No surgery", "4-6 weeks", " .. a few starts in September". They must have the same publicist.

Webb says three specialists all gave him the same answer: don't have surgery. He'll spend four to six weeks strengthening the muscle and not throwing, but he hopes he can be back in time to make a few starts in September.

AZ Snakepit

Eric Byrnes is expected to miss four to eight weeks after breaking the fifth metacarpal in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch in the second inning on Thursday night.

The Diamondbacks said Byrnes will require surgery after he was drilled with a 90 mph fastball by Texas right-hander Scott Feldman on a 1-2 pitch.

azcentral

Webb to seek 3 more opinions on shoulder

Shoulder surgery appears to be a strong possibility for Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Webb, who on Tuesday underwent his second MRI in the past week and met later in the day with team physician Dr. Michael Lee.

"We met and discussed options," General Manager Josh Byrnes said. "Everyone wants to be sure he takes the right course of action." One possibility appears to be surgery to repair his labrum, a procedure that would require a nine-month rehab process.

But a decision has not been made as Webb is expected to seek a second opinion this week.

azcentral

Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb was dealt another setback Thursday when he felt discomfort in his right shoulder during a throwing session, causing the Diamondbacks to cancel the bullpen session that had been scheduled for Friday in Seattle.
Webb left the team and returned to Phoenix, where he will be re-evaluated, according to manager A.J. Hinch. The setback casts doubt on whether he will pitch again this season.

"He didn't feel very good," Hinch said. "So it's a bad sign for us. We were so positive about where he was in his rehabilitation. He'll have to get further tests and see our doctors."

azcentral

D-Backs hopeful Young injury just a scare

Manager A.J. Hinch said the club still is aiming for this weekend for right-hander Brandon Webb's first bullpen session. Webb (shoulder) has thrown multiple flat-ground sessions in the past 10 days.

Brandon Webb threw his third flat-ground bullpen session prior to Saturday's game. Webb threw around 40 pitches, including some curveballs. The right-hander said he will throw another session on flat ground on Tuesday and if all goes well could throw off the mound in a bullpen session on Friday. Webb has not pitched in a game since experiencing some soreness in his shoulder during his Opening Day start.

Falling in line with the offensive members of the 2009 All-Early Disappointment Team, we must not forget about the pitchers. The pitchers who have destroyed our ratios, neglected to notch us Wins or Saves, and have a K/9 that makes Jamie Moyer chuckle. We drafted them early and often, and in return they've slapped us in the face and kicked us in the groin. Who are these sumanumbatches? Let's take a look...

• Manny Ramirez would like to play in Cleveland again before his career ends. "I would like to play for Cleveland one more time, to go back where I started," said Ramirez. "I have so many good memories there, why not? I think to go back where you started is everyone's dream."
• Cole Hamels will make his next scheduled start Thursday against the Washington Nationals, according to Andy Martino of The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Mark Teixeira will sit out again on Monday with wrist tendinitis.
• The D'Backs placed Brandon Webb on the 15-day DL with continued stiffness in his shoulder. The move is retroactive to Tuesday, meaning that he can return on April 22.
• Milton Bradley exited Sunday's game against Milwaukee in the fourth inning due to a strained groin. The team currently is calling him day-to-day
• Geovany Soto could be back to full-time duty by Wednesday.

Cole Hamels allowed 7 runs and 11 hits in just 3 2/3 innings against the Rockies on Friday. "I'm concerned about him," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He had a hard time locating pitches. He had a problem with his command, locating the ball where he wanted it." Manuel said he thinks Hamels' velocity will increase the more he pitches, but Hamels might even miss his next start.

• A-Rod will resume baseball activities on Monday.
• Hiroki Kuroda was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a mild strain in a muscle near his left ribs.
• Jose Guillen has been placed on the DL due to a partially torn right hip flexor.
• Randy Winn has the green light from Bochy to steal whenever he thinks he wants.
• Brandon Webb saw Dr. James Andrews to have his arm examined in December