Profile: Brandon Webb

The Diamondbacks pulled their offer of a three-year, $54 million contract extension to ace Brandon Webb last June after insurance companies expressed concerns about the right-hander's arm, according to a Foxsports.com report.

Despite passing a physical at the time and being remarkably durable his first six seasons in the majors, Webb's contract was contingent on the team securing an insurance policy for the pitcher.

But in using a higher standard when assessing potential risk, multiple agencies had concerns, which created a "red flag" for the Diamondbacks.

Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes would neither confirm nor deny the report, telling The Arizona Republic Thursday, "When it comes to details pertaining to negotiations, it's not something I want to talk about on or off the record."

"In the short term," Byrnes continued, "we will continue to monitor Brandon's (health) status and I believe he will be back on the mound shortly. We'll keep everyone notified of that, but talking about his contract or any negotiations is not something we want to talk about."

Webb will skip Saturday's scheduled start against the visiting Dodgers because of stiffness behind his pitching shoulder.

Manager Bob Melvin said Webb would get daily treatment and not play catch or throw for at least a few days.

Webb is scheduled to speak with reporters Friday at Chase Field before the team's game against the Dodgers.

Webb is under contract this season for $6.5 million and the Diamondbacks hold a team option in 2010 that would pay him $8.5 million.

Webb revealed last August that the team broke off contract talks, but neither he nor the Diamondbacks fully explained why negotiations ceased.

Webb, who won the Cy Young Award in 2006 and led all National League pitchers last season with 22 victories, has gone on the disabled list only once in his career at the major league level. That was in 2003 for minor elbow tendinitis.

Profile: Brandon Webb