Brandon Webb To Undergo Surgery

According to a report from Mark Maynard of Brandon Webb's hometown Ashland, Kentucky, the Diamondbacks injured ace will undergo surgery on Monday that will end any hopes of him pitching in 2009.

Webb had gone through two different periods of rest and strengthening with visions of pitching in September. However, the stiffness in his right shoulder has not improved. The recovery time from the procedure is not yet known.

The Diamondbacks have an $8.5MM option or a $2MM buyout on Webb after this season, which they must decide on within five days of the World Series. General manager Josh Byrnes commented on the situation:

For a healthy Webb, the option would be a no-brainer. Unfortunately for Arizona, that's not the case. Should the D'Backs bring him back, regardless of health, or should they part ways with one of the faces of their franchise following the 2009 season?