Brandon Webb’s rehabilitation from major shoulder surgery continues apace, though not at a particularly quick pace. Webb, signed by the Rangers for $3 million last winter, hasn’t yet pitched in a real game this spring, but at least he’s pitching. :
Rangers pitcher Brandon Webb threw four innings in an extended spring game Thursday and said he hit 86 mph a handful of times with his fastball, likely averaging around 84 mph.
Obviously, 84’s not enough. But it’s better than before, and in Webb’s last good season (2008) he averaged just 88 miles an hour on his fastball. Of course, those last four m.p.h. are the toughest. Webb will pitch again next Tuesday, and no matter what happens then he doesn’t figure to show up on TV anytime soon.
Anyway, $3 million isn’t a great deal of money and with Alexi Ogando returning to the rotation Friday night, the Rangers’ big-league rotation is intact once again. But a little depth would be nice, and so Webb will keep trying to return to the majors for the first time in more than two years.