Brandon Webb Won't Pitch For Diamondbacks This Season

So it has been ruled by new GM Kevin Towers:

Nick Piecoro has the quotes from Kevin Towers:

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“...Even though he has made progress, I don’t think anybody felt that putting him out there in a big league game, for a guy who hasn’t thrown in a couple of years, was the right thing to do. We didn’t want him doing something that set him back further."

Towers doesn't want anyone thinking the decision is disrespectful toward Webb or means the club is severing ties with him.

"This isn’t the Diamondbacks kicking him to the curb, either," Towers said. "We know what he’s done in his career and for this organization and my hope is to be able to see him in a couple of instructional league games so we can evaluate him.”

Kirk Gibson Won't Stand In Brandon Webb's Way ... If He's Ready

Kirk Gibson will be part of the Monday meeting between Brandon Webb and Kevin Towers to discuss Webb's desire to pitch again this season. Gibby expressed his feelings about it before the final home game of the Diamondback's season.

"I've said all along if Webbie's ready to pitch in the big leagues I'm not going to stop him," the old school baseball man said.

There's been plenty of discussion about the organization's obligation to give Webb the opportunity to pitch if he wants to. Many feel that Webb has earned that right based on all the wins he gave the organization while others look at the $15 million paid over the past two years and the perception that Webb hasn't pushed to get back on the mound sooner.

'We could debate this all day. It could be good, it could be bad. It could be right, it could be wrong," Gibson said, before adding his own opinion on Webb's lengthy recovery time.

He's pushed really hard. I've watched it all the way. When you don't pitch for that long you really have to learn ... part of it is it's not just the health -- part of it is you've got to learn how to pitch again."

Gibby talked about finding the arm slot, locating pitches, and pitching out of the stretch as hurdles for a pitcher who has missed this much time.

The discussion Monday will include pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. and the training staff to help determine if he Webb is ready.

"We don't want to put him out there if he's not ready," Gibby said in statement that gives his new boss Kevin Towers plenty of wiggle-room to decide either way.

Brandon Webb Ready To Pitch, Diamondbacks Might Not Oblige

Brandon Webb pitched another simulated game today. He threw about 35 pitches and says his velocity is in the mid-80's on his sinker. He threw the curve and change up as well.

"I think it went excellent," Webb said in front of his locker to the media assembled for the purpose of hearing his self-described report.

Obviously, it's in Webb's career interests to be as optimistic and positive as possible about his status. He will be a free agent after this season and hasn't pitched in a live game in two full seasons.

The Cy Young award winner is very much aware of the importance for him to get back on the mound this season.

"I think I probably have more to lose if I don't go out there and throw (this season). If I just go out there and show everybody I'm healthy, I'm throwing 85 to 88 -- which I think is totally possible -- throwing some strikes, I think that's a huge positive," he said.

For the Diamondbacks, there can't be much incentive to help Webbie showcase himself for other teams. This is something Brandon is also aware of and will be discussing with new general manager Kevin Towers on Monday.

"Hopefully we can see eye-to-eye on that and do it. I'm looking forward to sitting down with them and talking on Monday."

Webb admits he's not in mid-season form but proclaimed himself fully able to pitch from a health standpoint. 

Even though it might not benefit the Diamondbacks to let Webb pitch before this season ends (and potentially increase his free agent value) it's a right he hopes he's earned based on what he's done for the team.

It will be an interesting early decision for Kevin Towers.