PHOENIX - Brandon Webb said Saturday that he finally sees a light at the end of his shoulder recovery, one that has limited him to four innings the past two seasons.
"It's still a ways off, but I can definitely say I'm encouraged by everything I've done," the Diamondbacks right-hander said. "The light is there. It's still dim, but it's there, and it's very reachable."
Webb has a date in mind of when he'd like to pitch with Arizona, but he wouldn't share it with reporters.
He did say this: He'd like to make six to eight starts this season.
That's somewhat surprising, considering just a month ago the Cy Young award winner wondered whether he'd make it back this season.
But since throwing in Boston nearly three weeks ago, Webb has not experienced a setback.
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The next step: Throwing with someone in the batter's box.
That could happen within the next week, Webb said.
Staff completed
Interim manager Kirk Gibson completed his staff late Friday night, promoting third-base coach Bo Porter to bench coach and adding Joel Youngblood as third-base coach.
Youngblood, in his fourth season with the Diamondbacks, had served as the club's minor-league outfield and baserunning coordinator for the past year.
Youngblood, 58, played 14 seasons in the infield and outfield with five major league teams and made the All-Star team with the New York Mets in 1981.
His biggest concern Saturday: Just trying not to mess up the signals.
"My little cheat sheet is in my pocket," he said.
