4/14/14, 12:25 Update: Alex Cobb is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a left oblique strain. Cobb said it is “really disappointing” to hear the MRI results, and hard to believe he will be out 4-6 weeks because he doesn’t feel hurt. Which begs the question: Would the Rays seek help elsewhere? Maddon didn’t seem keen on Ramos’ start Sunday, and there are three other pitchers on the 40-man roster in Durham: Nate Karns, Enny Romero, and Mike Montgomery. Furthermore, rumors are flying over the potential interest in former Giant Barry Zito, and former Ray Jeff Niemann.
On that note, Ken Rosenthal wrote in his newest column, “Though the Rays’ rotation has been ravaged by injuries to Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore and Alex Cobb, the team is planning on using internal options rather than pursuing outside help.” This could be an acknowledgement that the Rays expect this rash of injuries to be a short-term problem, especially as it relates to Jeremy Hellickson and Alex Cobb. The though being, if the Rays expected Hellickson and Cobb to be out longer than they previously acknowledged, then they would potentially seek an arm (like the above mentioned Zito and/or Niemann) in the free-agent market.
6:00 update: “On Cobb, hearing 4-6 weeks most likely, assuming all goes well.”
— Marc Topkin (via Twitter)
Update: The MRI on Alex Cobb showed an oblique strain — which is not good. No timetable has been set, yet he feels good. Still, oblique sprains typically take six-to-eight weeks to heal.
As I wrote earlier, the Rays placed RHP Alex Cobb on the 15-day DL with a left oblique strain. He was sent back to St. Peterburg for an MRI Sunday morning, so we should — presumably — know more about the injury soon. Cobb is the second starter to go down in the last week, joining LHP Matt Moore. RHP Jeremy Hellickson is also on the DL, while RHP Alex Colome is suspended until late May for a failed drug test. Reliever Jeff Beliveau, who was briefly with the team during the Royals series last week, rejoined the team Sunday.
Cobb, who was seen stretching several times during Saturday’s contest against the Reds, reportedly felt tightness on his left side prior to the start of the game, though he battled through, tossing a gem of a seven inning shutout Saturday.
Joe Maddon remains optimistic, saying the hope is that Cobb would miss only two starts and be able to return when eligible, or shortly thereafter. Tampa Bay will need a starter for Thursday’s game against the Yankees, “with veteran Erik Bedard, who was called up to replace Cesar Ramos in the bullpen,” writes Marc Topkin, “now the likely candidate.” With Bedard filling in for Cobb, all three pitchers who competed for the fifth spot during Spring Training will be in the rotation.
This will be a true test of the Rays pitching depth. Marc Topkin mentioned in a pre-game interview with the Rays Radio Network, there is an outside chance that Enny Romero, Nate Karns, or Mike Montgomery (all on the 40-man roster) could be called up at some point.
I’ll continue to update this piece as the news breaks.