According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Nationals are sending scouts to watch D-backs right-hander Brandon Webb pitch in instructional league games on Saturday.  It was reported on Friday that he would have interest playing for the Nationals if he doesn’t re-sign with the D-backs.  Webb has a close relationship with general manager Mike Rizzo, who drafted Webb in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft when Rizzo was director of scouting with Arizona.

Webb threw one inning on Wednesday and didn’t have any problems throwing the baseball. He told MLB.com that day that his fastball was clocked in the 80s, but he expects the velocity to improve with each outing.  He faced four batters that day and allowed a triple, two ground outs and a fly out.

It was the first time Webb faced hitters in a game since Opening Day 2009, when he experienced shoulder discomfort that would lead to shoulder surgery in August of that year.

If he signs with any team, Webb most likely would have to sign an incentive-laden deal given his recent string of injuries but a good starting point for contract negotiations should be Ben Sheets, Brad Penny or Rich Harden money.

Webb may be a risk worth taking. There was a three-year period where Webb was arguably the best pitcher in baseball. In 2006, he won the National League Cy Young Award by going 16-8 with a 3.10 ERA. Two years later, he won 22 games and had a 3.30 ERA with the D-backs.