Brandon Webb has spent two full weeks on the disabled list. He has hated every minute of it.
Webb, who has not pitched since opening day, took another step toward returning to the active roster with a 33-pitch bullpen session Tuesday. It was the first time he had thrown off a mound since feeling shoulder stiffness during his start against Colorado on April 6, when he gave up six runs and six hits, including two home runs, in a no-decision in the Diamondbacks' 9-8 victory. "It's real tough. I'm used to going out there every five days and throwing and trying to help the team. Now just sitting back on the sidelines, not being able to do anything, really, is tough. I'm definitely ready to get back out there and try to help the team," Webb said.
Had Webb been healthy, he would have made his fourth start of the season Wednesday. As it is, Yusmeiro Petit has made two starts for him and is likely to make a third early next week.
Webb, who threw only fastballs Tuesday, is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session Friday and then is likely to face hitters early next week, either in a simulated game or on a rehab assignment, manager Bob Melvin said.
"We're throwing and we're progressing," said Webb, who led the National League with 22 victories last season while finishing second in the Cy Young Award voting for the second straight season after winning it in 2006.
"We're just going to have to play it by ear and see how I feel and how I bounce back after (Tuesday's) 'pen and then after the one on Friday."
ROCKIES 9, DIAMONDBACKS 6: 1B Todd Helton had three hits, scored three runs and drove in three when Colorado scored the last six runs of the game to even the series at one game apiece. RHP Yusmeiro Petit pitched five innings and was in line for a victory before the bullpen squandered a 6-3 lead in the final four innings. 3B Mark Reynolds hit his fourth home run in the fifth inning, and OFs Chris Young and Eric Byrnes hit their second.
