The Road Back: Brandon Webb

Sometimes the road back from an injury can be long. It can be painful. It can test one’s mental toughness. That would apply to the Texas Rangers newest righty, Brandon Webb.

Over the past off-season, there were ripples that suggested Webb could end up in Cincinnati. Close to home and where he attended college. The Rangers were a more logical choice based on the personnel within the organization. They knew what Webb has endured to date. We all know what Webb can do when healthy.

It wasn’t that long ago when Webb was one of the most feared hurlers in the league. Until 2008, he was a marquis pitcher and a marquis name period. He pitched on opening day of 2009 and hasn’t pitched in a major league game since. It’s almost weird that something like bursitis can set you back two freakin’ seasons.

To understand how that’s possible, we have to first look at the aliment itself. Bursitis is caused by an inflammation of the bursa sac that lies between a tendon on your skin or between a tendon and a bone. Bursae are necessary for allowing fluidity of movement around the joint area where a bony projection resides. A common cause is chronic overuse.

Generally speaking, rest and anti-inflammatory drugs are all that are needed in treatment. That wasn’t the case with Webb. In August of 2009, surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister of the Rangers. The fact that Meister performed the surgery was the leading reason Webb selected Texas over Cincinnati. Well, that and the opportunity to be in the starting rotation. That was not as much a guarantee in Cincinnati withe the young arms at Walt Jocketty’s disposal.

Signing Webb is a major addition to the Rangers staff even though Cliff Lee left for Philly. No, getting Webb is not a consolation prize if he can get back on track and return in some form to the standard he set for himself just three to five seasons ago. The issue will be when Webb will become available to get his work in.

According to Mike Bauman of MLB.com, Rangers skipper Ron Washington doesn’t look at Webb’s case as a matter of “if”, but “when” as well. Webb did throw a BP session yesterday, a major step in the right direction for both Webb and the Rangers. Here’s Washington’s take on Webb’s second go round with BP.

"“Much better,” Washington said. “The ball came out crisper, had late movement, [the hitters] didn’t center them very well. That’s the good thing — improvement. That was pretty good compared to the last time.“He had a good changeup, stayed in his arm slot a little more consistently. The sinker had some bite to it.”"

That sinker. One of the best I’ve ever seen. Completely unhittable.

After his BP session, Webb was asked to evaluate the process.

"“Better for sure. I thought the fastball was good, I thought the location was a lot better than last time. I was surprisingly happy with it, I guess you could say. The [sinker] was good. You can tell when it’s good. I used to throw a lot of back-door sinkers to lefties, get them looking. When you can do that, that’s when you know you’re getting some extension, and the only way you can do that is if you can get extension. I was able to do that today.”"

Again, that sinker, but Webb’s first sentence was actually more telling. If he can locate his fastball, that sinker becomes even more devastating.

When can we expect to see Webb in a Rangers uniform under game conditions? That’s something in which Washington has not yet set up the timetable. Webb envisions a possible return in May. Via Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

"He won’t be ready for opening day, he said Sunday, but there’s no reason why he won’t be in the rotation by May."

While I wouldn’t put it past Webb to be ready by May, I also wouldn’t be completely shocked if he doesn’t return in June. Just a safety measure, if you will. Nightengale also states that Webb will be with the team, but will go to the minors every fifth day in order to maintain a work regimen prior to joining the Rangers starting staff.

Rangers fans should be greatly encouraged by Webb progress to date. If there are no setbacks and Webb is close to the Brandon Webb pre-shoulder issues, the Rangers can snag another AL West title in 2011.