Alex Cobbâs time with the Detroit Tigers has not gone as planned.
The 37-year-old has yet to pitch for the club since signing a one-year, $15 million deal during the 2024 offseason, and now there are legitimate questions about whether thatâll ever happen.
Cobb, who had contemplated retirement before the Tigers contacted him, was pulled off his rehab assignment Tuesday after experiencing renewed soreness in both hips.
What are the Tigers Saying About Alex Cobb?
Cobb has been shut down for at least a week, raising doubts about his future in Detroit. Manager A.J. Hinch told the Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold that the Tigers are in âwait-and-see modeâ on the former All-Star.
âWhen you pull him off rehab, heâs got to be down a week,â Hinch said Tuesday. âHopefully, thatâs the minimal time and the max time in the same way. And then heâll go out and start all over again.â
Cobb has made six appearances in the minors since restarting his rehab assignment July 29, recording a 2.03 ERA and 17 strikeouts over 13.1 innings between High-A West Michigan and Triple-A Toledo.
In 19.2 innings overall this season, Cobbâs ERA is 1.83.
While retirement remains a strong possibility, Cobb recently told MLive’s Evan Woodbery that he feels an obligation to get back on a major league mound at some point.
âI signed a really nice contract with a team that had really high expectations for me going into the season,â he said. âFirst and foremost, you have a responsibility to try to fulfill that as much as possible.
âInjuries happen. Iâve missed years before when I was under team control, and itâs an easier pill to swallow when you know youâll be able to contribute next year. This one is different: I gave the year to you guys, you committed to me, and I wonât be able to contribute next year.â
As the Detroit News’ Chris McCosky noted, shutting down Cobb allows the Tigers to reset the clock on his rehab assignment, which comes with a 30-day maximum. A player can finish a rehab assignment and begin another one, but not without a seven-day shutdown in between.
The Tigers (78-57) entered Thursday with an 8.5-game lead in the AL Central.
What MLB Team Did Alex Cobb Last Pitch For?
After beginning the 2024 season with the San Francisco Giants rehabbing from left hip surgery, Cobb began to experience right shoulder inflammation and was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
That July, Cobb was traded to the Cleveland Guardians for a pair of minor leaguers. He returned in time to make three starts, posting a 2.76 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.
Cobb made his first All-Star appearance in 2023 with San Francisco, when he made 28 starts and went 7-7 with a 3.87 ERA and 131 strikeouts across 151.1 innings.
Cobb has also pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays (2011-14, 2016-17), Baltimore Orioles (2018-20) and Los Angeles Angels (2021). Over 13 MLB seasons, Cobb is 79-76 with a 3.84 ERA across 1,327.2 innings.
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