"Before he was baseball's overnight success story of 2008, Ryan Ludwick had some sleepless nights.

A year earlier, Ludwick, fearing he was stuck on an endless yo-yo between the majors and minors, contemplated moving his baseball fortunes to Japan. Before that, a series of injuries resulting in four rounds of surgery threatened to sidetrack his career.

"I never had doubts that I could play in the major leagues," Ludwick said last weekend.

"But for awhile there, I wasn't getting anywhere for a variety of reasons. I give myself credit for perseverance. In a way, the injuries, what happened along the way, made me better.

"I believe God has a plan. I really believe that."

As he spoke, Ludwick looked across the visiting team clubhouse at Chase Field and saw Ryan Webb packing his gear. The relief pitcher had just been optioned to Triple-A Portland to make way for Mike Adams' return from the 15-day disabled list.

Ludwick, who had been Webb's teammate for less than a week, politely excused himself and went over to talk to the relief pitcher.

Ludwick didn't discuss the exchange. But he certainly knew what Webb was feeling.

Ludwick came into professional baseball in 1999 as a highly regarded second-round draft pick. Within four seasons, he had been traded twice. By then, the injuries had already stalled his progress."