Originally Posted by MLB.com

TUCSON -- Brandon Webb may have won the National League Cy Young Award last season, but he still has to wait to get a table at most restaurants in Phoenix.

Golf? Well, that's another story.

"I try to get that comped," he said. "I like golf, but if I have to pay over a hundred bucks to play, I'll just go home and watch it on TV."

Webb threw off the mound on Saturday as D-backs pitchers and catchers went about their first workout of the spring under blue skies. Now the unquestioned ace of the staff, even with the presence of Randy Johnson, Webb said he doesn't feel any additional pressure.

"I feel the same that I did the first four years I've been here, so I don't think anything will change with that," he said. "I feel comfortable where I'm at, and I'm excited to get the season started."

One thing that Webb wants to work on this spring is his changeup. Aside from his signature sinker, the change is probably his most effective pitch. It took him until midseason to become comfortable with it last year, and it was the one pitch that irritated his sore elbow during the second half. He's thrown it over the winter and again on Saturday with no problems.

"To get that going early and get it consistent and if it's as good as it was last year, it [will be] a huge pitch for me," he said.

The pitch has downward movement like his sinker, but not as much tail. When he throws it with the same arm action as his fastball, it's tough for hitters to adjust.