D-Backs notebook: Top 4 starters to go on 4 days' rest

HOUSTON - The Diamondbacks plan to ride their four top starters down the stretch. Randy Johnson is scheduled to make nine more starts while Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and Doug Davis are in line for eight as the D-Backs plan to use each on four days' rest from now on, instead of pushing them back around an off day.

D-Backs wallop Houston in 12-2 victory

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"For the most part, we will go with a four-man rotation," manager Bob Melvin said.

The fifth starter, currently Yusmeiro Petit (although Max Scherzer also is on the radar) figures to have seven more starts.

Petit is to start today against Houston but will not pitch again until next Saturday, the others moving up because of Monday's off day.

Although Webb leads the NL with 177 innings after pitching eight in a 12-2 victory Friday and Haren is sixth with 167 innings after throwing eight - on 118 pitches - at Colorado on Thursday, the D-Backs believe they are in good shape after having monitored their rotation all season.

"We do have guys with innings, but that's why we give them that extra day (off early in the year), so they will be a little more rested when we get into the stretch," Melvin said.

Webb, Haren and Johnson made 10 of their first 22 starts on five or six days' rest, Melvin choosing to give them an extra day or two instead of skipping another starter.

A side benefit of the plan is that Johnson will have nine starts to reach 300 victories. He has 294.

OTHER WEBB NO D-BACK

The D-Backs failed to agree with 12th-round draft pick right-hander Daniel Webb, who was considered by Baseball America as a second-round talent, as the deadline for signing June draftees passed at 9 p.m. Friday Arizona time.

The team signed 14 of its top 16 picks, and had expected to lose 10th-rounder Daniel Hultzen, who will attend Virginia.

The D-Backs offered Paducah (Ky.) Heath High product Webb a bonus of about $250,000, but Webb wanted much more, although the Webb camp had come down from its earlier talk of $1 million.

Flagstaff Coconino High left-hander Kyle Lobstein, the 47th player in the draft as Tampa Bay's second-round choice, signed for $1.5million with the Rays on Friday.

Webb is expected to attend Okaloosa/Walton Community College in Niceville, Fla., and will be eligible for the 2009 draft.

Webb's father, Champ Webb, said Tampa Bay contacted him before the second day of the draft and offered Webb $500,000, but it was turned down.

UPTON BACK NEXT WEEK?

Justin Upton received an enforced day off Friday when Triple-A Tucson's game at Colorado Springs was postponed because of rain. Melvin said Upton will be there at least a week, maybe 10 days.