Around NL West Spring Training, 3/17: Rotation news from LA, SD and AZ

Diamondbacks Bad news for the rest of the NL West – Brandon Webb feels “really good” after his latest throwing session. “I was letting it go almost all the way,” said the former Cy Young winner. “I felt like I had more left in the tank even.” He’s aiming for a return sometime in late April: “I think a couple weeks late, three weeks late, is something that’s more reachable.”

Dodgers James McDonald, initially thought likely to be the #5 starter for LA, seems to be heading for a relief spot instead. Manager Joe Torre said, “I’m probably leaning at this point to keeping him in the bullpen,” after McDonald threw two innings in a simulated game earlier this week. The right-hander has struggled this spring, and seems to have been passed on the depth chart by the likes of Russ Ortiz and Eric Stultz.

Giants Grant discusses his first baseball memories over on McCovey Chronicles, involving Bennie Ayala and a garage-sale tambourine. It’ll probably have you thinking about your own earlier experiences of the game. Certainly beats my first baseball memories, but then, I didn’t see a live game until I was 32.

Padres The San Diego rotation appears to be solidifying: it looks likely to be Clayton Richard as the #4, with Mat Latos occupying the fifth spot. Other candidates Tim Stauffer and Sean Gallagher have pitched pretty well, and are out of minor-league options, but one or both could end up working out of the bullpen. It’s also not impossible the Padres could start off pitching with eight relievers.

Rockies Rockies manager Jim Tracy says that Chris Iannetta and Miguel Olivo will share time behind the plate in Denver. Tracy said, “I can tell you this: They are both going to play. I am not using the word ‘platoon.’ But they are both going to play.” Er, wouldn’t that be a ‘platoon’ then, Jim? Still, both have been hitting well in spring, and both were regular starters for at least part of last season.