Brandon Webb's Bullpen Canceled

As we near the halfway point of the 2009 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks desperately need something. Some expected them to contend in the NL West this year, but they're in dead last, 15 games behind the Dodgers and seven behind the Cardinals in the wild-card race. In fact, only the Nationals have a worse record in the National League right now.

They had hoped that that "something" that would kick start their season would be the return of Brandon Webb. Every team would miss a guy that's finished in the top two in NL Cy Young voting in each of the past three seasons. Unfortunately, Webb's Thursday bullpen session was canceled and he's left the team on their interleague trip to Kansas City to return to Phoenix.

GM Josh Byrnes had very little to say about it, but it's not a good sign for Webb, who hasn't thrown since Opening Day because of shoulder pain. Manager A.J. Hinch had this to say:

"He was sore and he went back to Phoenix. We'll reevaluate [Friday]. He didn't feel very good today. So it's a bad sign for us. We were so positive about where he was in his rehabilitation. He'll have to get further tests and see our doctors."

Short and ominous. Never good when shoulder injuries are involved.