Pitcher Micah Owings Urged: Try Out at First Base

Former Reds reliever Micah Owings -- owner of a .293 lifetime batting average with .538 slugging in four years of limited MLB plate appearances -- has been signed by the Diamondbacks as a pitcher but is being urged to compete for the wide open, starting first baseman's job.

"We'll see how hard he wants to go after it," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson told USA Today's Mel Antonen in a recent XM satellite radio interview. "...We will give him the opportunity."

The six-foot-five, 230-pound Owings, a third round draftee originally signed by the Diamondbacks, has a prodigious amateur hitting record and has been a feared presence at the plate in 184 major league at-bats. He has hit four homers.

"His bat is huge," Gibson said. "...Micah is certainly a guy who might surprise you this year."

Owings, 28, sees himself as more of a two-way, pitcher/hitter in the mold of former Cubs first-rounder Brooks Kieschnick, now out of baseball, who was unable to sustain the duel role for long.

Moreover, to actually win the starting the first baseman's job, Owings will have to hold off a number of candidates, most significantly rookie Brandon Allen and veteran Xavier Nady. Disappointed with the team's poor showing last year, Gibson has brought 60 players into camp and has vowed to encourage spirited competition for starting positions across the board

Ex-D-Back Says Brandon Webb Healthy, Strong

A former Arizona Diamondbacks teammate says right-handed hurler Brandon Webb -- who missed virtually the entire season last year with shoulder difficulties -- is healthy and strong, and is looking to resume his career as one of the National League's premier starters.

"He's feeling great right now," said former Diamondbacks lefty Doug Davis. "He's healthy and strong as well."

Davis, a cancer survivor who last week inked a contract with the Brewers, told Sirrius/XM radio MLB channel 175 that he maintains regular telephone contact with Webb, who is traveling east with his family in Davis' recreational vehicle, which Webb borrowed. Davis said he spoke with Webb as recently as Friday.

Webb had been coming off a 22-7 season in 2008, when he notched a 3.30 ERA and struck out 183 in 226 innings. But he came out of his first game last year with shoulder stiffness, ultimately undergoing arthroscopic surgery in August with the objective of returning to action by spring.

A microscopic camera revealed no structural damage, signaling that Webb likely can expect to return to the mound without a serious setback other than anticipated rustiness associated with his lengthy layoff.

Curt Schilling's Retirement Comes as Anticlimax

Confirming an MLBnewsonline exclusive report from nearly a year ago, former Red Sox ace Curt Schilling finally was forced to admit he would be unable to pitch again, and announced his retirement via internet.

"...The things I was allowed to experience, the people I was able to call friends, teammates, mentors, coaches and opponents, the travel, all of it, are far more than anything I ever thought possible in my lifetime," Schillihg said in his blog: "43 Pitches."

Though some speculated Schilling might return, an independent health analysis of his condition revealedd that even the finest surgeons in the world would have vitually no chance of restoring the 23-year veteran's health or ability to throw.

Still, the three-time world champion said he has no regrets.

"The game always gave me far more than I ever gave it," he explained. "...I did everything I could to win every time I was handed the ball. I am and always will be more grateful than any of you could ever possibly know."

Randy Johnson Must Wait Until 2009 to Reach 300

The decision to rest Diamondbacks hurler Randy Johnson virtually prevents him for reaching 300 regular season, career wins before next year, though he still has a shot at 30 starts this season.

Having given up five runs on four homers and six hits to the Cardinals before being knocked out in the fourth inning in his last outing, Johnson continued to feel worrisome shoulder discomfort when he threw on the side in Los Angeles Saturday morning.

Due to fatigue, he had been experiencing soreness for a week, a condition conspicuous to observers when they watched Johnson throw.

Because the team has elected to rest the 6-foot-10 lefty for one or two starts -- targeting him to pitch just four more games before the end of the season -- Johnson cannot be expected to return any sooner than when the Diamondbacks play the Reds next weekend. Therefore, he cannot possibly reach more than 298 regular season, career wins this season, and likely will have fewer.

Johnson -- who will observe his 45th birthday this week -- has 294 career victories.

Rookie Max Scherzer will take Johnson's spot in the rotation for now.

The good news is that the future Hall-of-Famer has been successfully recovering from far more serious trauma to his back and knee, chalking up 10 wins against nine losses with a 4.21 ERA so far this year, well exceeding the outlook many gave him last spring.

Side Session Indicates Randy Johnson's Soreness

Diamondbacks hurler Randy Johnson -- having given up five runs on four homers and six hits to the Cardinals before being knocked out in the fourth inning in his last outing -- continued to feel worrisome shoulder discomfort when he threw on the side in Los Angeles Saturday morning.

He had been experiencing pain for a week. Observers said Johnson's uneasiness was obvious when he threw.

Attributing the pain to fatigue, the team has elected to rest the 6-foot-10 lefty for one or two starts before targeting him to pitch four more games before the end of the season. Therefore, Johnson cannot be expected to return any sooner than when the Diamondbacks play the Reds next weekend.

Rookie Max Scherzer will take Johnson's spot in the rotation for now.

The good news is that the 44-year-old future Hall-of-Famer has been successfully recovering from far more serious trauma to his back and knee, chalking up 10 wins against nine losses with a 4.21 ERA so far this year.

He still has a shot at 30 starts by season's end, easily surpassing the outlook many gave him last spring, but now must wait until 2008 before before being able to reach the 300-win plateau. He has 294.

Things Maybe Coming Together for Dodgers?

The Dodgers aggressive attempt to throw away the season suffered a big blow tonight, as the Dodgers came from behind to win their 5th straight, defeating the Padres.

It appears that it is now the Diamondbacks turn to give self-sabotage a go, having won just 3 of their last 10 and allowing the Dodgers to creep within 1 1/2 games of first place.  We may know this weekend the success of those efforts.  

Although the two teams face each other this weekend in a crucial 3 game series - and the D'Backs are throwing Dan Haren, Brandon Webb, and Randy Johnson - the Dodgers appear to have a mildly easier schedule.   They'll face the Padres 6 times, Giants 6 times, Pirates 4 times, and the Rockies 3 times.  The D'Backs draw the Giants 7 times, Rockies 6 times, and the Reds 3 times, but must go to St. Louis for a crucial 4 game series.

The Dodgers no doubt feel blessed to have drawn the hapless Padres 9 times in the final month, but after their performance in Washington last week, a 4-5 record would surprise nobody.

Reds Finally Find Taker for Adam Dunn, Manny > Dunn

In a move reeking of desperation, the Diamondbacks today pulled a Ned Colletti by acquiring a sub-.240 hitter.  Having missed out on Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, and every other big bat available in July, the D'Backs had to settle for Adam Dunn and his .233 batting average.  Yes, Dunn has 32 home runs but there's a reason the Reds have been desperately trying to dump this guy for three years - he already has 120 strikeouts and is a perrenial 200 strikeout threat.  He strikes out almost a third of the time.  That's a feat normally not achieved by anyone other than pitchers. 

More amusing is that the Reds convinced the Diamondbacks to pay $2 million of the $4 million remaining on Dunn's salary.  The response to that argument is that if the Diamondbacks don't resign Dunn, they'll be rewarded with 2 draft picks.  But to receive the draft picks, they must offer him arbitration, which he could accept, potentially costing the club close to $15 million in 2009.

This is a great move for the Reds, who save themselves $2 million and get a pitcher with a lot of potential in Dallas Buck (although he had Tommy John surgery after college). Buck was drafted in the third round of the 2006 draft, after leading Oregon State to a national championship, and is currently pitching in high-A ball.  Arizona also gets two players to be named later, one of which is supposedly an "MLB ready starter."

UPDATE:  the "MLB ready starter" is Micah Owings, according to several industry sources, however he won't be "named" until after the season because he was claimed by several other teams.

Opportunity Knocks for Diamondbacks' Chris Burke

When one door closes, another opens -- so the old axiom goes -- and the door may be open just a crack for Diamondbacks second baseman Chris Burke.

The unfortunate sidelining of starter Orlando Hudson -- likely to miss much or all of the rest of the season after sustaining a wrist injury in a collision with Braves baserunner Brian McCann -- comes at an ideal time for Burke, as Burke is in the midst of a rare hot streak.

Once upon a time the fair-haired second baseman of the future for the Astros -- Burke has squandered most of his chances until now, barely keeping ahead of the "bust" label. But as it happens, the young is speedster hitting at a better than .300 clip in limited action over his last 10 games and maybe -- just maybe -- is finally beginning to figure things out.

See whether manager Bob Melvin has the daring to help Burke build on something while he has a chance, or succumbs to the seduction of reserve Augie Ojeda's leather, despite Ojeda's more limited upside.

Ironically, Hudson's injury came just as the team's decision makers determined that the team had enough depth to trade top middle infield prospect Emilio Bonifacio to the Nationals. Of course, who could blame them? Having missed most of the end of last season, Hudson wouldn't miss the end of the season for the second year in a row, now would he?

D-Backs Lock Up Haren Through 2012

Dan Haren and the Diamondbacks have agreed on a four-year, $44.75 million extension that will keep him in Arizona through 2012.  The new deal voids the final two years on Haren's old deal and also includes a club option for the 2013 season.  Acquired in the offseason from Oakland, Haren has adjusted nicely to the National League and is among the league leaders in several major statistical categories.  He was also named to his second consecutive All-Star Game this season.

Diamondbacks Serious About Contending

In desperate need of a bat, the Diamondbacks have acquired .236 hitting first baseman Tony Clark from the Padres.  He also has hit a home run and....wait for it..... THREE doubles.  

This is a big move for the D'Backs, who sit only one game ahead of the hapless Dodgers. They must be hoping Clark can return to his 2007 form, when he hit .249 for them.

Mariners May Deal Raul Ibanez to National League

Various published reports indicate the Mariners favor dealing outfielder-first baseman Raul Ibanez to a National League team, if behind-the-scenes chatter is any indication.

The Mets, Diamondbacks and Dodgers are among the potential suitors, all offering a buffer to keep Ibanez from coming back to haunt his former team.

Chris Snyder Takes One in the Crotch

Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder has been placed on the DL with a fractured testicle.

Mark Reynolds Keeps Job as Chad Tracy Returns

Despite being moved to seventh in the batting order and hitting just .225, Mark Reynolds will remain the Diamondbacks starting third baseman for now and incumbent Chad Tracy will come off the bench, manager Bob Melvin told The Arizona Republic.

Tracy has returned from an extensive layoff after knee surgery, making his first appearance at first base when Melvin gave Conor Jackson a day off. But Tracy has been cast as a spot starter and pinch hitter until further notice.

"We'll see how it goes," Melvin said. "We'll see physically where we are from day to day."

Melvin likened Tracy's temporary role to that formerly filled by supersub Tony Clark, who still resides in the Phoenix area but now comes off the bench for the San Diego Padres.

Randy Johnson Strikes Out 15 in 13 Innings

Diamondbacks hurler Randy Johnson's 5.40 ERA through his first six starts may be a bit deceptive, if his last two appearances are any indication.

Johnson -- coming back from spinal surgery -- has allowed just one earned run in his last 13 innings, walking one and striking out 15, with the team believing he has rediscovered his Hall of Fame form.

"It look like it to me, definitely," manager Bob Melvin recently told The Arizona Republic.

The Republic noted that it took four starts for the 6-foot-10 lefty to round into form last year, with this year apparently taking just a bit longer.

"He's not thinking about it anymore," Melvin said. "...He's throwing the ball where he wants to."

Much of Johnson's awakening has been attributed not only to his deadly fastball, but the reliability of his slider.

Doug Davis and the Risks of CT Scans

Arizona pitcher Doug Davis -- about to miss time due to medical treatments -- has won the admiration, respect and well wishes of his teammates. Putting off thyroid cancer surgery to make a couple of starts in April will do that for you. "When I first heard about it, I'm not going to say I wasn't crying," Davis said. "Of course I was." (Tony DeMarco, NBC Sports).

Doug Davis has thyroid cancer. According to repots, he is suspected of having follicular carcinoma. Generally there are four major types of thyroid cancer (in worsening order of prognosis/seriousness and risk for early mortality from the disease):

1. papillary;
2. follicular;
3. medullary;
4. anaplastic

In Davis' case, his cancer may be related to a familiar propensity to acquire the disease -- two first-order family members have a history of thyroid cancer.

However, papillary and follicular carcinomas are also definitely associated, as an independent risk factor, with radiation to the neck. Brilliant and classical epidemiological work by UCLA medical professor JR Hoffman, et. al., in multiple peer-review accepted scientific publications, have clearly illuminated the fact that as many as 1,000 cases of thyroid cancer are diagnosed each year in the US as a direct result of cervical spine x-rays -- the vast majority of which, over 90-percent estimated in various studies, are medically unnecessary.

When you were a kid, didn’t your mother repeatedly bellow one or both of the following to you: "... stop doing that before you put your eye out!!!" Or: "...get down from there before you break your neck!!!" Doubtless this ubiquitous parental admonishment has advanced the notion that every time your neck hurts due to some minor trauma (or even without history of trauma), you must immediately run to the nearest emergency room and get an X-ray -- who wants to have an undiagnosed broken neck, become a quadriplegic and spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair, aye?

Per standard routine, no self-respecting patient in America, with or without third-party entitlement for payment, is going to consider a learned medical practitioner’s opinion that the X-ray is usually not clinically indicated, based upon the history and clinical examination of the malady. Curiously, there is a large subset of the population that never believes the doctor -- they want the technology instead, "just to be on the safe-side." Right.

Generally, the patient (or their family and friend surrogates) are so adamant to insist on the X-rays, that some emergency departments acquiesce even before the patient is seen and the X-rays are ordered by the triage nurse in advance of the physician’s evaluation -- just to move the process along, satisfy the patient, add to the bill, and open that ER bed to somebody who really needs it.

As an emergency healthcare provider, having been confronted with that situation several thousand times myself, when I am really sure the neck x-ray is a waste of time and somebody’s money, or when especially when the patient is a child (see comment below), I will always offer the x-ray series under the proviso that: a) the patient understands that it is not medically indicated, and b) there is a risk of producing thyroid cancer some time in the future.
It is astonishing how many patients will recant their demand for the neck x-ray.

We’re talking just about neck x-rays and baseball players. The amount of radiation produced by a cervical spine x-ray series is miniscule compared to the total body dose of radiation received by computerized (axial) tomography – CT or CAT scans. One CT scan of the abdomen, for example, is the equivalent radiation of 500 chest x-rays (a chest x-ray is about triple the radiation exposure of a neck x-ray). How often do you hear about professional athletes getting a CT scan (not to be confused with MRI which is believed to be safer but fantastically more expensive)?

Examination by MRI is particularly good for soft tissue, but lousy for bony structures. So, if there is a bonk on the head, if there is a peculiar pain or tenderness with a normal plain x-ray, if there is back pain – CTs are often performed. As an aside, it’s important to recognize that fractures elucidated by CT and not by plain radiography are, by definition, not fractures, per se, at all. The "gold-standard" definition of a fracture - one that is evident by plain radiography.
If every time somebody hurt something and the x-rays were negative a CT scan was performed, we might identify lots of occult fractures for which the management is exactly the same – except the bill is enhanced and the patient has absorbed a load of radiation.

Radiation exposure, by the way, is cumulative over one’s lifetime, so exposure to children is particulary important. Over the course of a lifetime, we are exposed to a wide variety of radiation sources from the sun and our TV sets, for example, in addition to medical radiation.
When the dose is sufficient, accumulated over many years: "there’s your cancer, Madam – it’s your turn to die."

The cause of cancer is multifactorial: hereditary factors, viruses, environmental exposure, chemical exposures, and radiation, all of which have been described in the medical literature. I suspect (and the opinion is shared by many scientists more intimately familiar with the subject than me) that one day there will come a reckoning related to our penchant for CT scans for everything from headache, to sinus disease, to chest pain, to abdominal pain, to suspected kidney stones, and extremity trauma.

In 2002, for example, 60 million CT scans were performed in the US, accounting for 70-percent of medical x-ray exposures. According to a report by the National Academy of Science, a single dose of 10mSv is associated with a lifetime risk of a solid cancer or leukemia (with associated death) of 1 in 1,000. The radiation dose associated with a typical abdominal CT scan is 10-20mSv.

It is particularly problematic when patients undergo multiple CT scans. In one study, it was reported that patients with reecurrent renal colic (kidney stone) commonly experience total radiation exposures of 19.5-153.7mSv.

Physicians requesting CT scans for their patients are often unaware of the associated risks. Studies have reported that only 9-percent of emergency department physicians and only 47-percent of radiologists involved with CT scanning were aware of the increased risk of cancer posed by these studies. Failure to appreciate this risk of radiation exposure has a substantial impact on the process of informed consent.

Yes, hopefully when these tests are obtained, we should like to believe that the benefit outweighs the risk, but too often, especially with multimillion dollar professional athletes, it is clearly not. I wonder, if armed with that information, and Doug Davis strained his neck, while intimately familiar with his family history of thyroid cancer, if he would allow the team doctors to x-ray and/or CT his neck?

Stephen Drew's Poor Camp Continues

Arizona shortstop Stephen Drew returned to action Friday after sitting out due to a knot in his right calf, made contact with three grounders as the Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 9-8, but once again failed to reach base as his average fell to .187.

Drew -- brother of oft-injured Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew --has suffered a variety of ailments during the preseason, beginning with a knee injury in January, flu-like symptoms in February, and removal of his wisdom teeth in March. Last year Drew was hampered by a bruised leg, a sore back and a hamstring pull, though he managed to appear in 150 games while batting .238.

Drew, 25, was the 15th overall player taken in the 2004 draft but has yet to realize the potential scouts have projected for him.

Just Up Justin Upton Needs to Live Down 'Bad Rep'

Former No. 1 overall pick Justin Upton -- hitting .310 with 13 homers in limited time at Class AA Mobile -- has stunned the baseball world with his sudden appearance in a major league uniform, but now must prove his maturity is on par with his playing skills.

Upton, 19, arrives in Arizona with a reputation for egotism and surliness. More than once during the early part of his career Upton had been observed squabbling with coaches and managers over protocol or lack of hustle, creating a feeling that he might be uncoachable.

But if Upton remains self-absorbed he has managed to hide it more recently, with no major issues reported this year. Still, Upton will be watched closely for issues of attitude.

Upton -- younger brother of Tampa Bay's B.J. Upton -- won his chance to join the Diamondbacks by a combination of circumstances: starting outfielder Carlos Quentin was injured, fourth outfielder Jeff DaVanon failed to find his stroke after coming off the injured list, and -- most importantly -- the Diamondbacks' kiddie corps unexpectedly was found not only to be contending for a playoff berth, but actually leading the pack.

If Upton follows a familiar pattern common among young, inexperience players, he will struggle and be sent back down at least a time or two before establishing himself. But this stunning package of speed and power sooner or later will lay claim to full-time playing status, maybe as quickly as now.

D'Backs Conor Jackson Deal Dismissed in Chicago

With Jeff DaVanon returning from the disabled list to a crowded Diamondbacks clubhouse, manager Bob Melvin tried young first baseman Conor Jackson in the outfield as teammates clamored for playing time.

A report that Jackson was run out there to be showcased for a trade to the White Sox drew a laugh from the front office in Chicago, according to the Arizona Republic. Jokingly the White Sox communication suggested: "Let us know next time you're showcasing someone for us."

D'backs in No Hurry to Bring Back Chad Tracy

A week ago Diamondbacks first baseman Conor Jackson might have been targeted for the bench to make room for up-and-coming prospect Mark Reynolds' and his .435 batting average. But though Jackson is hitting only .217, he may have saved himself by going 14 for his last 31 at-bats.

Look for manager Bob Melvin to take his time bringing back injured third baseman Chad Tracy, allowing Tracy to continue to recuperate at least into next week while Reynolds holds down the hot corner. That gives Melvin another seven days or so to figure out how to find a permanent spot for Reynolds.

Melvin has already promised to stick with promising rookie Carlos Quentin, who is off to a slow start after coming back from injury. Melvin's patience is starting to pay off as Quentin is 6 for his last 14 with a homer. Still, Quentin -- hitting just .221 on the season -- will remain under the microscope, as will shortstop Stephen Drew, hitting .238; and outfielder Scott Hairston, hitting .228.

Anybody could lose time should Melvin decide to turn Reynolds into some sort of super reserve.

Few players can consider themselves safe as long as Reynolds keeps hitting, as Reynolds has experience not only at third base but shortstop, second, first and the outfield, having acquitted himself well everywhere but catcher.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Reynolds, having hit a combined 31 homers in stops at Double A Tennessee and Single A Lancaster last year, has been likened to Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent. Reynolds has 62 homers since coming up with Single A South Bend three years ago.

Reynolds, 23, was initially so highly regarded that he might have been among the higher draftees in 2004, but he fell to the Diamondbacks in the 16th round due to a debilitating wrist injury that now seems like something from a previous life.

Carlos Quentin Aggravates Labrum Injury in Tucson

Former 2003 first-round pick Carlos Quentin aggravated his partially torn labrum in a minor league game Thursday at the Diamondbacks complex in Tucson, Ariz., raising doubts as to whether he can return to action soon.

Quentin -- who failed to return to the game after grounding out in the third inning -- was scheduled for an urgent medical examination in Phoenix late last night. Depending on the findings of the Diamondbacks staff doctors, it appeared likely as not that Quentin would be headed for the minors, extended spring training or the disabled list, but his status was uncertain.

Doctors had warned the coaching staff that because of Quentin's typical, all-or-nothing output in game situations, he should be brought along slowly after experiencing shoulder pain in the third week of spring training. But Quentin had been swinging eagerly in the batting cage this week and was given a tryout in the minor league contest to make up for lost time.

Quentin was nearly at full strength, claiming he could still play by modifying his batting stance and swing. Before going down he had been hitting .357 with three homers and 10 RBI in 28 at-bats. His layoff appeared to have played a part in the announcement that Scott Hairston had made the squad as a reserve. Hairston stands to gain playing time if Quentin continues to sit out.