Baseball D-backs ace Webb shut down by ailing shoulder

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Arizona Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb will be shut down for three weeks in a significant setback to his attempt to recover from shoulder problems that have sidelined him since his opening-day start.

Manager Bob Melvin announced the decision after the Diamondbacks lost to San Francisco 5-1 on Friday night.

"He won't do anything for a week and then he'll do some strengthening for two weeks, no throwing," Melvin said, "and then we'll see where we are after that."

Webb's bullpen session was canceled Friday when the right-hander felt tightness in the shoulder while playing catch. It was supposed to be his second bullpen workout. He felt fine after his first, 33-pitch session on Tuesday.

The plan had been for Webb to throw to hitters if Friday's bullpen went well, then perhaps have him make a minor league start.

An MRI showed a small amount of fluid in the shoulder but no structural damage.

Webb went on the 15-day disabled list April 13, retroactive to April 7.

The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner, who was 22-7 last season, was rocked for six runs in his April 6 start, getting a no-decision in a 9-8 victory over Colorado. He was scrubbed from his next start, then the decision was made to put him on the DL.

It's just his second trip to the disabled list in his seven major league seasons. The other was in 2003. Webb has pitched more than 200 innings in each of his last five seasons.

"He's a guy we're going to be careful with," Melvin said before the game. "We're not going to push him and say 'See if you can throw through it and see if it loosens up.' He's too important for us to try to push through something through that."

Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit -- 0-1, 6.00 ERA in three appearances, two starts -- will continue to take Webb's place in the rotation.
 
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