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Webb in Cactus League state of mind

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By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

05/29/09 12:16 AM ET

PHOENIX -- For Brandon Webb, coming back from his right shoulder injury is going to be like going to Spring Training all over again.

That's the way the team would like the right-hander to approach his rehab, something he has not had any experience with during his career.

Right now, Webb is in the stage where he's playing catch and gradually increasing the distance until he gets to about 150 feet, at which time he may start throwing bullpen sessions. It's similar to the process a pitcher goes through when he's preparing to head to Spring Training.

"He's inching back there, day-by-day," Arizona manager A.J. Hinch said.

After he throws some bullpen sessions, he will need a Minor League rehab assignment before he returns.

It sounds like it could be a while before Webb is back in action and the team is taking things very slowly to try and avoid a setback that could cost him even more time.

"Once we get him on the mound, we'll build his pitch count up, pitch him in a few [Minor League] games and hopefully we can activate him," Hinch said.

Yusmeiro Petit, Bryan Augenstein and Billy Buckner have started in place of Webb at one time or another this year. The trio has made nine starts, with a combined 6.80 ERA and the D-backs going 2-7 in those games.

Pitching matchup
ARI: RHP Jon Garland (4-3, 4.70 ERA)
Garland did a good imitation of a tight-rope walker in his last start against the A's at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. The right-hander allowed nine baserunners in the first five innings of the outing, yet somehow managed to keep the A's off the board in that span. Garland tempted fate once too often and allowed three runs in the sixth as the A's beat the D-backs, 6-2. All three of the runs came on Landon Powell's first big league homer. Garland said after the game that he simply did not have his good command and the ball did not feel good in his hand. Signed as a free agent to replace Randy Johnson in the rotation, Garland has success when he's able to keep the ball down near the knees. When he gets it up near the belt, he runs into trouble.

ATL: RHP Jair Jurrjens (4-2, 2.07 ERA)
Although it isn't obvious from his stat line, Jurrjens wasn't as sharp in his Sunday start against the Blue Jays as he has been in recent starts. Jurrjens went six innings and allowed just two earned runs, but surrendered eight hits and two walks on 102 pitches in a no-decision. He had gone at least seven innings in his previous three starts. On the season, Jurrjens has been among the league's best starters. He has allowed more than two runs in just one start and has won his last two decisions. Jurrjens last pitched against the D-backs on Aug. 9 of last year, going six innings and earning a win.

Tidbits
The Felipe Lopez Watch continues. Hinch said that the second baseman, who felt tightness in his left hamstring last Saturday night in Oakland, may run the bases Friday afternoon, but it sounds like he will not be back in the lineup until Saturday, at the earliest. "The day that he feels he can go out and get five at-bats and play second base for nine-plus innings, he'll be back in there," Hinch said. ... Especially with as tired as the bullpen has been of late, the D-backs will stick with 13 pitchers rather than 12 for the time being. "We definitely needed the extra arm in the bullpen," Hinch said. ... First baseman Tony Clark, who has been on the disabled list with an injured right hand, hopes to take batting practice for the first time Sunday or Monday and begin a rehab assignment when the team returns from its upcoming 10-day road trip.

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Up next
• Saturday: Diamondbacks (Doug Davis, 2-6, 3.77) vs. Braves (Javier Vazquez, 4-4, 3.80), 1:10 p.m. MST
• Sunday: Diamondbacks (Max Scherzer, 2-3, 3.38) vs. Braves (Kris Medlen, 0-2, 9.72), 1:10 p.m. MST
• Monday: Diamondbacks (Billy Buckner, 1-1, 7.16) at Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw, 3-3, 4.34), 7:10 p.m. MST

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.