The Detroit Tigers will be without right-handed pitcher Alex Cobb for Opening Day, as he has been sidelined with a right hip injury, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The Tigers signed Cobb to a one-year, $15 million deal this offseason. He is expected to be out for about a month. Meanwhile, shortstop Javier Báez while still recovering from right hip surgery that was performed in September, is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Báez has been participating in defensive drills and hitting. With Cobb out, this leaves two spots open in the Tigers’ starting rotation. While it’s unfortunate that Cobb will start the 2025 season on the injured list, it’s not too surprising, since Cobb is injury-prone and has missed a lot of time throughout his MLB career. But the 37-year-old veteran has upsides to his game that the Tigers can use as a boost upon his return if he can avoid more injuries.
Alex Cobb (right hip inflammation) won’t be ready for Opening Day; Javier Báez (right hip labral repair) is expected to be ready for Opening Day. #Tigers https://t.co/zAR1OJ1yKv
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) February 12, 2025
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Tigers Starter Alex Cobb Sidelined With Hip Inflammation
Cobb has a lengthy history when it comes to injuries, and they have heavily impacted his pitching. For example, in the 2024 postseason for the Cleveland Guardians. Cobb struggled in the first game of the ALCS as he was experiencing back spasms and hip tightness. He was then diagnosed with an acute left lower back strain and played his last game of 2024. He finished the 2024 postseason with a 0-2 record and an ERA of 7.94. But looking past the injuries, Cobb is strong in inducing ground balls through his splitter. He has also repeatedly bounced back from difficult seasons. The Tigers were hoping for Cobb to remain healthy in 2025, but that won’t be the case to start the season. Cobb had left hip surgery in October of 2023 that impacted his playing time in 2024. While rehabbing his hip, he was also dealing with a broken fingernail, a blood blister, shoulder discomfort, and elbow tightness. Cobb also had hip surgery in 2019.
Pitching Options for Tigers
The Tigers’ current starting rotation is solidified with the signing of Jack Flaherty. It also includes 2024 AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and former top prospect Reese Olson. But with Cobb now out, this leaves two spots open in the rotation. Some options that manager A.J. Hinch can turn to are Jackson Jobe, Casey Mize, and Kenta Maeda. The pressure is certainly on for Tigers top prospect Jobe, who is a front-runner to have the fifth spot. The highly touted prospect was a first-round pick for the Tigers back in 2021. But who will get the other spot? Detroit is fortunate to have plenty of pitching options in addition to those listed above, such as Ty Madden, Brant Hurter, Keider Montero, and Matt Manning.
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