RSS
Home
Brandon Webb facing uncertain future
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Don't look for "The Stopper" to stop the bleeding any time soon.
As the Diamondbacks tumble downhill at break-neck speed, and take an avalanche of losses with them, Brandon Webb is nowhere in the picture. In fact, some rumors have Webb's career in jeopardy and his current condition may bear some credence.
At his height, Webb keeps teams at bay, helps stop losing streaks and pumps enough confidence into his teammates to amplify their abilities.
Not since an opening day appearance has the 30-year-old stepped on the pitching rubber. At least, not from a competitive standpoint.
Suffering from teres major muscle strain in his right shoulder, Webb's attempted comeback has been compromised with pain, pain and more pain. Scheduled to throw off the mound last Friday in Seattle, that outing was scratched when Webb developed additional discomfort in his pitching shoulder.
Webb's absence merely exacerbates a troubling situation. The Diamondback starters, save Dan Haren, have been less than stellar. And Webb, taking his turn every five days, would certainly help combat an accumulative slide. Add a pathetic accounting from the bullpen and closer by committee, and Webb's absence remains all the more painful.
Since admitting stiffness in his right shoulder on Opening Day, Webb went immediately on the DL. His effort during the Diamondbacks opener looked like something out of a spring training game. The former Cy Young Award winner allowed six hits, six runs, all earned, walked two and surrendered two home runs in an eventual 9-8 Arizona win.
In the fourth inning, he allowed back-to-back home runs from Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta. An inning earlier, Webb surrendered a bases-loaded double to Brad Hawpe and was lifted in the fourth.
Since that early April outing, Webb has spent time trying to regain some semblance of his lost health. It may be too late for Webb's return and an attempt to salvage a season lost weeks ago. Still, the Ashland, Ky. native has made it known that his competitive spirit remains very much alive and anxious to help his teammates in any way possible.
The current rotation of Billy Buckner, Doug Davis, Jon Garland, Max Scherzer and Haren may not be starters envisioned by Josh Byrnes, the general manager, on opening day. Also, consider the departure of former pitching coach Bryan Price. Resigning right after Bob Melvin was fired as field manager, Price's absence remains another factor in the decline of the pitching staff. Price knew many on the current roster and was regarded as a teacher and mentor. That rapport has been lost and the staff now shows little direction and less cohesion.
As well, the offseason decision not to resign Randy Johnson was as much as marketing as a physical blunder. Granted, Johnson picked up his career 300th win earlier this season and his value to any team could be considered marginal. Still, he brought fire and brimstone to the mound, and charged the batteries of teammates around him. His emotional and passionate approach to the game are variables the Diamondbacks clearly lack.
In Webb's absence, Johnson could have filled a void not only on the mound, but also in the clubhouse. Instead, the Diamondbacks chose to sign free-agent Garland, who has complained about pitching at Chase Field and shows more incentive and purpose on the road.
While Webb can certainly change fortunes, that will not happen in 2009, and the reality remains his long-term health. Because many consider the season lost, getting Webb back to his competitive self for next year and beyond remains a principal priority.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
