Brandon McCarthy allowed one run while striking four over two innings in Wednesday's loss to the Reds. He gave up three hits and didn't walk anyone. The Diamondbacks' bullpen had a meltdown in the middle innings, but it was a solid first outing for McCarthy. The tall right-hander's head injury that prematurely ended his 2012 season isn't really a worry heading into 2013, but his wonky shoulder remains a concern.

Brandon McCarthy threw to hitters Monday for the first time since he fractured his skull when he was hit in the head by a line drive last September. "It honestly is completely normal," said McCarthy, who threw behind a protective screen like most of his other teammates. "Anything you would have thought might have been there wasn't. I was more nervous about where my command was at, where my stuff was at." Coming off a quality 3.29 ERA in 43 starts over the past two seasons, McCarthy landed a two-year, $15.5 million contract with the Diamondbacks over the winter. Considering his past shoulder issues and the move to a tougher home ballpark, he could be overvalued in fantasy drafts this spring.

Brandon McCarthy said Wednesday that he has recovered to the point where his concussion and brain injury is almost no longer a factor. Very encouraging news. McCarthy agreed to a two-year, $15.5 million contract with the Diamondbacks this week and will join a rotation which is also set to include Ian Kennedy, Trevor Cahill, Wade Miley and either Tyler Skaggs or Patrick Corbin. The 29-year-old right-hander has a history of shoulder issues and has never thrown more than 170 1/3 innings in a season, but he should be effective as long as he can stay on the field.

Diamondbacks signed RHP Brandon McCarthy to a two-year, $15.5 million contract. The deal is now official after McCarthy passed his physical, which couldn't have been viewed as a slam dunk after his health issues this past season. Though his 3.29 ERA over the last two years will likely go up since he'll make half of his starts in Arizona, the lanky right-hander should be a nice addition for the D'Backs as long as he remains clear of the disabled list.

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that Brandon McCarthy agreed to a two-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth $15.5 million. The deal is pending a physical. And that's no slam dunk given his recent brain surgery and previous shoulder issues, but the expectation right now is that he'll have a normal offseason. McCarthy owns a 3.29 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 43 starts since the beginning of the 2011 season, so $15.5 million looks like a bargain. His numbers will probably take a bit of a hit making half of his starts in Arizona, but he should still make for a solid option in mixed fantasy leagues.

John Gambadoro of 620 KTAR in Phoenix reports that the Diamondbacks have agreed to a deal with free agent right-hander Brandon McCarthy.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Angels' interest in Brandon McCarthy has "picked up." The A's, Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Royals, Diamondbacks, Twins and Rangers have also been connected to the free agent right-hander. McCarthy boasts a 3.29 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 43 starts since the beginning of the 2011 season. He seems likely to land a very lucrative deal.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Athletics, Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Royals, Diamondbacks and Twins have all expressed interest in free agent right-hander Brandon McCarthy. If that wasn't enough, Slusser hears that the Angels and Rangers are soon expected to join the fray. McCarthy's 2012 campaign came to an early end after he was struck in the head by a comebacker and required emergency brain surgery, but it appears he'll be able to land a multi-year deal. The 29-year-old right-hander is expected to have a normal offseason and should be fine for spring training.

According to sources, the Diamondbacks have expressed interest in free agent Brandon McCarthy. McCarthy, who is scheduled to resume throwing in December, was pursued by the D'Backs the last time he reached free agency two years ago. Despite the injury concerns, he should still be able to secure a multi-year deal.

After being cleared to resume all baseball activities, Brandon McCarthy will resume throwing in December. It's wonderful news after McCarthy had to undergo life-saving emergency brain surgery after getting hit in the head with a line drive during September. McCarthy should be able to secure a multi-year deal, though some teams may be scared away by his past shoulder troubles.