San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb is currently rehabbing at his team's minor-league facilities in Arizona, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reported Wednesday night.
Cobb underwent hip surgery on Oct. 31 in order to repair his torn labrum and remove multiple bone chips. The 36-year-old right-hander now has five anchors in his hip.
While Slusser relayed that Cobb still doesn't have a concrete timeline for his return to the mound, the veteran said he is set to start flat-ground throwing within the next few days. Cobb also anticipates being back in the major league rotation earlier than initially expected and that he "fully expects" to return before the All-Star break in July.
Cobb made his first career All-Star appearance in 2023, going 7-7 with a 3.87 ERA, 1.322 WHIP and 2.6 WAR.
The righty debuted with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011. After establishing himself as a key part of the Rays' starting rotation, Cobb underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015. He returned late in 2016, but wasn't back to full strength until 2017.
The Baltimore Orioles signed Cobb to a four-year, $57 million deal the following offseason. Cobb finished his time in Tampa Bay with a 48-35 record, 3.50 ERA, 1.217 WHIP and 11.2 WAR.
Cobb's time in Baltimore didn't go particularly smoothly, with his production immediately falling off upon his arrival in 2018. A major hip injury limited Cobb to three starts in 2019, and he only made 10 starts in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
The Los Angeles Angels took a flier on Cobb, trading for the veteran in 2021. After stabilizing his career with an 8-3 record, 3.76 ERA and 1.264 WHIP, Cobb was able to secure a two-year, $20 million deal with the Giants.
Over the next two seasons, Cobb went 14-15 with a 3.80 ERA, 1.312 WHIP and 5.3 WAR as one of the Giants' top starters. San Francisco picked up a $10 million club option on Cobb's contract last fall, despite his injury.
Logan Webb has emerged as the Giants' ace over the past few years, but the club entered the offseason with plenty of question marks around him.
Cobb and recent trade acquisition Robbie Ray – who underwent Tommy John surgery while with the Seattle Mariners last May – are slated to miss at least the first few months of 2024. San Francisco officially signed standout reliever Jordan Hicks to a four-year, $44 million on Thursday, and they apparently aim to use him as a starter.
Between Webb, Cobb, Ray, Hicks and top pitching prospect Kyle Harrison, the Giants could actually end up boasting a well-rounded rotation in the second half of 2024 – and that's not including any additions they might make before Opening Day.
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