Brandon Webb successfully threw off a mound on Tuesday for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery last August.
"[It] went good," Webb said. "[The] ball came out well, but I was just thinking about arm slot on every throw. That's to be expected, not having thrown on the mound in so long." Expect the Diamondbacks to handle Webb with restraint during spring training, but the 30-year-old right-hander doesn't see any reason why he shouldn't be ready for the beginning of the season.
Brandon Webb (shoulder) is scheduled to throw off a mound Tuesday.
It will be his first throwing session on a mound since undergoing a right shoulder debridement in early August. Webb, 30, expects to be ready for the start of spring training and is hoping to return to ace status this year. He missed almost all of 2009 but is only a year removed from a 22-win season.
Mark Reynolds confirmed Friday that his agent has begun contract extension negotiations with the Diamondbacks' front office.
According to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert, two- and three-year deals have been discussed in recent weeks. In other words, the Diamondbacks are looking to lock up his years of arbitration-eligibility. Reynolds, 26, batted .260/.349/.543 last season with 44 home runs and 102 RBI in 662 plate appearances. He fell just three days short of qualifying for "Super Two" status and will be paid a salary close to the league minimum in 2010.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic hears that the Diamondbacks and third baseman Mark Reynolds are working on a contract extension.
Reynolds, who turns 27 this season, batted .260/.349/.543 last year with 44 home runs and 102 RBI in 578 at-bats. He was the only player in the majors to compile at least 40 homers, 100 RBI and 20 stolen bases in '09, and he's set to earn the league minimum this season. The D'Backs are expected to make him a long-term offer by the start of spring training.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that right-hander Edwin Jackson and the Diamondbacks appear to be headed for an arbitration hearing.
There's currently a gulf between the two sides as Jackson filed at $6.25 million and the team offered $4.6 million when arbitration figures were exchanged last month. According to Piecoro, the Diamondbacks have approached Jackson about a two-year deal that would buy out his remaining arbitration years, but a hearing is still the most likely scenario. Needless to say, a hearing is not the best way to welcome a new acquisition into the fold.
Diamondbacks signed RHP Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league contract.
He'll serve as bullpen insurance for the Diamondbacks in 2010. Lopez went 3-1 with a 5.70 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 30 innings -- five starts and two relief appearances -- last season for the Phillies. He was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in early August and didn't factor into the Phillies' postseason plans.
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times reports that the Mariners have signed OF Eric Byrnes to a one-year contract.
Jack Z was in the market for a right-handed bat and part-time left fielder so Byrnes should do the trick. The oft-injured 33-year-old was cut loose by the Diamondbacks earlier this month and will join the Mariners at the major league minimum. It's worth a shot if Byrnes can add some speed and defense off the bench.
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