Brandon Webb Throws Off a Mound

Big news for free agent to be Brandon Webb:

D-backs ace Brandon Webb threw off a mound on Tuesday for the first time since having surgery on his right shoulder in August.

"[It] went good," Webb told MLB.com. "[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."

Webb made just one start in 2009 because of shoulder discomfort. On Aug. 3 he underwent a minor procedure known as a debridement to clean up some fraying around the labrum.

"It was good to get him into the next phase of his rehabilitation," D-backs manager A.J. Hinch said. "He looked comfortable. This is a positive sign as we're getting close to Spring Training. I thought he looked good."

Obviously, this is huge for Webb. Even though he missed almost all of the 2009 season, if Webb puts together a big season for the Diamondbacks, then Webb would become one of the most sought after starting pitchers on the free agent market. Webb will only be 31 this season and has a fantastic track record, but he will need to stay healthy and prove that he is still one of the top pitchers in the National League if he is going to land a huge contract. I doubt that any team will feel comfortable committing to Webb for more than 3-4 seasons, but a lot can change over the course of a season.