After the first week of spring training, we already have some ‘injuries’ or at least issues to monitor on some pitchers as the season approaches. Hopefully these things will clear up sooner than later, but I wouldn’t worry yet since its still verrrryyyy early.

• Down in Arizona, Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb says he felt ‘stagnant’ in his latest bullpen session and is becoming impatient with his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery last season. He only threw in one game, opening day and he missed the rest of the season. It’s unclear whether this will continue to slow him down, but it’s definitely not good that it is almost year since he last threw in a game and he still isn’t healthy. He shouldn’t rush himself for opening day if that’s asking too much in order to help the team as the summer goes on.

• On Saturday, Twins closer Joe Nathan, coming off elbow surgery, left a spring training game with soreness and tightness in that elbow. No one seems to be afraid about this, but I bet Jason is a little nervous considering his Twins are so dependent on their closer. Personally, I’m concerned.
• It’s only early March, but already Daisuke Matsuzaka has “an outside chance” of being ready for opening day according to Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell. Dice-K has been throwing bullpen sessions and long toss, but it seems he just needs some extra time to get ready for the season. Boston is in no rush with the addition of John Lackey to an already stacked rotation, so Dice-K will be able to take his time.

Ok, enough with the bad news already! Here are some pitchers that are doing well in new places and coming back from injury too:

• In his first appearance on a mound for the Phillies, Roy Halladay threw two hitless innings and struck out three to maintain the buzz around his acquisition this winter. The Phillies fans gotta be happy about this!

• New Rangers SP Rich Harden looked good in his first start on Wednesday. He threw two innings of one-hit ball. Good pitching in Texas? That’d be a welcome site…
• Facing hitters for the first time in 17 months, new A’s pitcher Ben Sheets had to face his former team. He threw 1 2/3 innings and didn’t feel any discomfort. Good for the Athletics, who invested $10 million for one season.
• The Mets most important player, SP Johan Santana, is returning from elbow surgery and he threw 40 pitches in a simulated game last week. The Mets live and die with this guy, but not even Santana can do it himself this season for New York.

-Chris