Concerns raised by insurance companies over Brandon Webb's arm caused the Diamondbacks to withdraw their offer of a three-year, $54 million contract extension to the right-hander last June, according to major-league sources.
Webb passed a team physical, sources say, but insurance companies use a higher standard when assessing risk. Multiple companies raised concerns, creating a "red flag" for the Diamondbacks, sources say. The contract was contingent on the club securing an appropriate insurance policy for the pitcher.
The condition of Webb's arm became an issue on Wednesday when the Diamondbacks said that he would miss his next start due to shoulder stiffness. But Webb, who turns 30 on May 9, has been extremely durable for most his career.
Webb's only career trip to the disabled list, for elbow tendinitis, was from May 24 to June 8, 2003. No major-league pitcher threw more innings from 2005 to '08.
All veteran pitchers experience wear and tear on their arms; Webb, despite the insurance companies' concerns, might pitch 10 more seasons without injury, one source said.
He completed last season without disruption, tying for the major-league lead with 22 victories and earning a top-two finish in the National League Cy Young Award voting for the third straight year.
The extent of Webb's shoulder problem, which surfaced in a poor opening-day start against the Rockies, is not yet known.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9433794/Sources:-Arm-
Webb passed a team physical, sources say, but insurance companies use a higher standard when assessing risk. Multiple companies raised concerns, creating a "red flag" for the Diamondbacks, sources say. The contract was contingent on the club securing an appropriate insurance policy for the pitcher.
The condition of Webb's arm became an issue on Wednesday when the Diamondbacks said that he would miss his next start due to shoulder stiffness. But Webb, who turns 30 on May 9, has been extremely durable for most his career.
Webb's only career trip to the disabled list, for elbow tendinitis, was from May 24 to June 8, 2003. No major-league pitcher threw more innings from 2005 to '08.
All veteran pitchers experience wear and tear on their arms; Webb, despite the insurance companies' concerns, might pitch 10 more seasons without injury, one source said.
He completed last season without disruption, tying for the major-league lead with 22 victories and earning a top-two finish in the National League Cy Young Award voting for the third straight year.
The extent of Webb's shoulder problem, which surfaced in a poor opening-day start against the Rockies, is not yet known.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9433794/Sources:-Arm-
