D-Backs notebook: Extension for Haren in the works

When the Diamondbacks acquired Dan Haren, it was assumed to be with an eye toward the long haul, and the D-Backs took the first step two weeks ago by approaching the pitcher about a contract extension.

“There were a few ideas brought up,” said Haren, whose contract runs through a team option year in 2010.

“It didn’t go too far. Discussions can become a distraction, and I don’t want it to be that. Neither side is going to rush into anything.”

The D-Backs also have had talks about an extension with fellow pitcher Brandon Webb, whose deal expires after a 2010 option.

Keeping with his policy, D-Backs general manager Josh Byrnes had no comment.

Haren is 6-4 with a 3.41 ERA entering tonight’s start against the A’s, from whom he was acquired in an eight-player deal last winter, and his secondary numbers indicate how well he has pitched while making 11 quality starts in his 14.

He leads the NL in fewest walks per nine innings (1.5), and has limited opponents to a .229 batting average, sixth in the league. His ratio of strikeouts to walks, 5.07 to 1, is the best in the NL among starters.

Haren’s experience in Arizona has been “better than I expected, and I expected to like it.

“The friends I’ve made have been great. I hope to be here for a long time,” he said.

Haren recently bought a home in north Scottsdale and hopes not to repeat his Bay Area housing experience, when he had to sell two years after he bought following his trade to the D-Backs.

“That sucked,” Haren said.

EVELAND BACK

Even after a strong spring, former D-Back left-hander Dana Eveland did not learn he would be a member of Oakland’s rotation until the A’s trip to Japan in late March.

“They said 'I’m sure you already know,’” Eveland said. “I wasn’t going to assume anything.

“It helped me build confidence, because I’ve never had that opportunity. I’ve always been the guy that is going to get the chance and if you do well, you might be around, but if you don’t, see you later.”

Eveland, who will miss pitching against the D-Backs after beating San Francisco on Sunday, is 5-5 with a 3.46 ERA in 14 starts.

Eveland, Thursday’s starter Greg Smith and center fielder Carlos Gonzalez came over in the Haren trade last winter.

BYRNES SLATED TO RETURN ON MONDAY

Eric Byrnes is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment Thursday for Class A Visalia as a prelude to rejoining the D-Backs on Monday in Boston.

Visalia was Byrnes’ second minor league stop, and it conjures up good memories. He hit .429 in 29 games with the Oaks in 1998 after signing with the A’s out of UCLA. Byrnes had 46 hits — nine doubles, two triples and four homers — in 108 at-bats.

SHORT HOPS

The D-Backs signed second-round draft pick Bryan Shaw, a closer from Cal State-Long Beach, and assigned him to Missoula of the Pioneer League. Shaw, who routinely hits between 91-95 mph with his fastball, was 2-1 with a 1.84 ERA and eight saves while striking out 35 in 29 1/3 innings this season.

Shaw attended Livermore (Calif.) High, where earlier grad Randy Johnson donated the funds to build a clubhouse for the baseball team.

“I like the pressure,” said Shaw, who had 23 saves in his three years as the 49ers’ closer.

The D-Backs also have signed outfielder Ryne White, their fourth-round pick. White is the Purdue Big Ten career leader in runs, RBIs, total bases, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Left-hander Daniel Hultzen, their 10th-round pick from St. Albans in Washington, D.C., has a scholarship offer to the University of Virginia and appears to be leaning toward college.