"Brandon Webb needs to pass a session of live batting practice later this week before he will get his first game action, which would be the first step toward joining the Texas Rangers' pitching staff.

The right-hander threw 72 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday at Yankee Stadium and said he was as sharp toward the end of it as he was during a breakthrough bullpen session Tuesday in Detroit.

He will face batters Friday for the first time since April 4, when he hit three batters during live BP and was reined in to throwing only in the bullpen. Based on Sunday, though, he can see light at the end of the tunnel.

"It took me a little while at first to get my location, but at the end it was as good as last time," said Webb, who hasn't pitched in a big-league game since Opening Day 2009.

The Rangers had discussed sending him to extending spring training today for up to 10 games and possibly two starts there before heading to Double A Frisco."