The Guardians released their 26-man roster for the AL Division Series this morning, and veteran right-hander Alex Cobb was included after being activated from the 15-day injured list. Cobb has pitched in just one MLB game since August 14 due to a pair of IL stints — first due to a fractured fingernail, and now this latest stint due to blisters on his right hand.
It has been an injury-plagued season overall for Cobb, as he has only three total starts and he didn’t make his season debut until August 9. Cobb had hip surgery last October, and his recovery from that surgery was delayed by both some shoulder soreness and then some earlier blister issues. As it turned out, Cobb’s final year with the Giants didn’t even involve one last trip to the mound in a San Francisco uniform, as the Giants dealt the veteran starter to the Guardians at the trade deadline.
Cleveland felt confident enough in Cobb’s status to swing the trade despite his lack of action during the season, and his subsequent pair of trips to the IL haven’t exactly calmed any doubts about his health. However, the Guards were able to win the AL Central even with Cobb providing limited help, and for what it’s worth, he did pitch well (2.76 ERA in 16 1/3 innings) over his three starts with his new club.
An impactful October performance would certainly help Cobb make a true mark on his new team, though it remains to be seen exactly how the Guardians might deploy Cobb in the ALDS. Tanner Bibee is the scheduled starter for Game 1 and Matthew Boyd is the likeliest candidate to start Game 2, though the Guards could go in many directions given the uncertain nature of their rotation. Considering how Cobb is just returning from the IL, his innings could be limited if he does get a start, or Cleveland might even use him as a bulk pitcher (behind an opener) or perhaps in a piggyback capacity. The Guardians are hoping to get as much as they can out of their starters and then rely on their elite bullpen.
Here is Cleveland’s full 26-man roster for its ALDS matchup against the Tigers. Cobb, Bibee, Gavin Williams, Emmanuel Clase, Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith, Eli Morgan, and Andrew Walters are the right-handed pitchers, and Boyd, Tim Herrin, Joey Cantillo, and Erik Sabrowski are the four southpaws on the roster. The list of position players consists of catchers Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges, utilityman David Fry, infielders Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, Andres Gimenez, Brayan Rocchio, Daniel Schneemann, and Kyle Manzardo, and outfielders Steven Kwan, Lane Thomas, Jhonkensy Noel, Will Brennan, and Tyler Freeman.
mlb fan
“Fractured fingernail”..I never before heard of a “fractured fingernail”. I thought only bones could “fracture”.
TellItGoodbye
Guaranteed Guardians lose now. All teams who acquired Giants during this season are losing in the playoffs. Cobb will stub his pinky toe walking to the mound and be done.
PronounsRUS
the only reason tbs is airing this series is to give the 40 or 50 viewers of their network something else to watch
Dumpster Divin Theo
Impractical jokers
Melchez17
Has anyone mentioned the Will Smith World Series streak? 3 years in a row champion with 3 different teams. He has a chance for a 4th with the Royals.
jdgoat
So what you’re saying is bet the house on the Royals?
Dumpster Divin Theo
No jiggy w that
Melchez17
AL East team got swept again.
Orioles in 2024
Jays Rays Orioles in 2023
Jays Rays Yankees in 2022
Yankees 2021
Jays 2020
So much for the “Mighty AL East”. LOL
Dumpster Divin Theo
Yankee Yankee time for a spankee
johnsilver
Fail to see why some always jealous of any accomplishments of the AL east, as brilliant as they are. 6 WS title since year 2k. Every team, sans TB pretty much fills their stadium each game every time. More than can be said for a lot of teams and for payroll? NY, Bos and Toronto always top 10
Full Blown chk titles.
WS since 2k
NL East 4
NL Central 3
NL West 5
AL East 6
AL Central 3
AL West 3
Very Barry
Yankees vs. A.L.. Central for a trip to the World Series. I’ve got the Royals vs. Indians advancing to the ALCS.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Maybe the White Sox weren’t so bad, just mired in the toughest division in baseball, heh. Put them in the East, and they’re a 60 win team easily!
MPrck
Only tvs would be dumb enough to put Lauren “the hotty” Jihaddy………behind a desk. So sad. MLB central telecast’s are like the old Benny Hill shows with their camera work.
mlb fan
Lauren “She-hotty” looks awfully good no matter where they put her.
johnsilver
It’s all subjective mlbfan.. Cnn just rehired mr potato head.. aka brian stelter, so it shows nobody really cares what newscasters say, nor look like me thinks.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Creepy
Non Roster Invitee
Lauren Jbara just said “volumtous” instead of voluptuous” about a Tigers player’s mustache.
Garywally57
I hope Detroit wins the series. Cleveland gave in to the woke nutjobs, changing their name. They deserve to lose.
jdgoat
It’s been years man. Not a good way to go through life
MPrck
Auspicious start for Detroit, but thankfully Trump returns to Butler P.A, so that’s a great spot to wait for the Tigers to roar back. Trump and the Tigers, 2024.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Have something else in common w Tr