Nolan Writin' » Brandon Webb

Brandon Webb’s Rehab Start Actually Favorable, Hunter Not So Much

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:12:53 +0000

Tuesday, Brandon Webb made a rehab start of three innings for the Texas Rangers’ Double-A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders. The former Cy Young victor in 2006 allowed just a single hit over those three scoreless innings as well as one walk.

Brandon Webb (MLB Photo)

His velocity in his pitches was up. Mike Maddux, the Rangers’ pitching coach, said that Webb’s velocity was up around 85 mph and had decent movement, which is honestly below what it should be but the fact of the matter is that it is improving.

As long as we have our movement we can compete. If he’s 85 to 87, he can be good. If he can be 84, he can be decent.

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Tough Night for Rehab Starts in Frisco Webb/Borbon

Tue, 31 May 2011 00:19:54 +0000

Brandon Webb and Julio Borbon each took their first rehab starts in Frisco with the RoughRiders. Webb is an offseason acquisition that came with some baggage. The ground ball pitcher is battling back from shoulder surgery, this was his first start in a professional game since April of 2009. Borbon is battling back from being on the DL with hamstring issues.

Webb’s outing was ugly, and that’s being generous. We will certainly give him the benefit of the doubt, considering the man hasn’t pitched in more than two years in an actual game. Webb threw 77 pitches over 3.1 innings. He gave up five runs on eight hits, and had two strikeouts and two walks in the game. Of his pitches he threw 47 of them for strikes. I wasn’t at the game in Frisco and the game-day data neglects to show me pitch speeds, however Anthony Andro was able to pick these up. Below is what Ando had to say.

Webb hit 85 mph on the radar gun on one pitch in the first inning, but normally was around the 83 or 84 mph mark. – From the Star Telegram Blog

This certainly is not where we would like to see his fastball, but if he can use it effectively he could be a tool in the bullpen. (more…)

Rangers Injury Update

Tue, 17 May 2011 20:00:10 +0000

The Rangers have definitely been plagued with some injuries early on to some of their best players such as Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. However, the good news is that they are both nearing a return soon. In fact, one of them has already started his rehab assignment in Double-A Frisco. Here is an update on the current injuries within the Texas Rangers Major League organization.

Josh Hamilton, who fractured his right humerus bone sliding into home plate and got tagged out after his third base coach told him to go for it, is taking batting practice and is with the team in Chicago. He took his first batting practice last Friday and is participating in drills. The club physician should be evaluating the outfielder sometime tomorrow back in Arlington to determine what his next step will be. If all is well, he should begin a rehab stint before we know it. (more…)