For the second time this season, right-hander Alex Cobb will go on the 15-day injured list with a blister, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
The Guardians are calling up reliever Andrew Walters, their second-round pick from 2023 who has a 2.32 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 50 innings in the minors this season.
Alex Cobb to the IL
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) September 12, 2024
The issue forced Cobb, 36, to miss a scheduled start last weekend, and it didn’t heal quickly enough for him to avoid another trip to the Injured List. He will be eligible to return during the final week of the season and should be ready in time. Cobb’s injury means both Joey Cantillo and Ben Lively should remain in the starting rotation. However, the exciting part of the roster move is the Guardians calling right-hander Andrew Walters from Triple-A Akron.
Alex Cobb Out with Blister Injury
Cobb has seen plenty of challenges in the last year. He finished the 2023 season on the IL due to left hip inflammation, undergoing surgery in October. The San Francisco Giants seemed to have the belief that Cobb could play in 2024, picking up a $10 million club option for this year. When he was ramping up in March, he had a chance to beat his rehab timeline with a return earlier than expected. However, right shoulder inflammation delayed his progress, and the team transferred Cobb to the 60-day IL.
On June 30, after managing to return to the mound, Cobb began his rehab assignment. A month later, he was traded to the Guardians just before the trade deadline. At that time, the Guardians were facing significant instability in their rotation. Shane Bieber had to undergo Tommy John surgery, and Gavin Williams missed half of the season due to right elbow inflammation. Additionally, other pitchers such as Triston McKenzie, Logan Allen, and Carlos Carrasco were struggling, with ERAs above 5.00. To add to the challenges, an injury placed Carlos Carrasco on the IL, and the team subsequently optioned both McKenzie and Allen to the minors.
Cleveland has been in first in the American League Central for most of the season. They are 4 1/2 games ahead of the Kansas City Royals but the Guardians could find themselves in a tight battle in the final weeks.
Walters, 23, was the 62nd pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. He started the 2024 season at Double-A, pitching in 17 games with a 1.35 ERA. Walters was promoted to Columbus on May 28, establishing himself as the closer. In 33 games at Triple-A, Walters has six saves with a 2.97 ERA in 30 1/3 innings.
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