Right-hander Alex Cobb will make his Orioles debut against the Red Sox in Boston this coming Saturday, the team told reporters (Twitter link via Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com). The right-hander had opened the season in extended Spring Training as he built up strength after waiting until late in Spring Training to sign with the O’s. Baltimore also announced that former top prospect Hunter Harvey has been recalled for tonight’s game and added to the bullpen, with lefty Tanner Scott heading to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
Cobb inked a four-year, $57MM pact that came as somewhat of a surprise after the market for him, Lance Lynn and Jake Arrieta looked to have largely collapsed. Rather than taking a short-term deal, as Lynn did, Cobb and his reps at Beverly Hills Sports Council instead found a contract that was largely commensurate with a number of November projections (and topped our $48MM estimate here at MLBTR).
Prior to revealing that Cobb would start on Saturday, the O’s announced that Cobb worked a six-inning outing in extended Spring Training today, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in six innings against Twins farmhands. Cobb tossed 93 pitches in that game, so it seems he should be stretched out enough to eclipse the 100-pitch mark if necessary.
Cobb will join Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman in a revamped Orioles rotation, pushing right-hander Mike Wright Jr. out of the starting mix — presumably into the bullpen. The 30-year-old’s big league deal means he’s already on the 40-man roster, but the Orioles will still need to clear a spot on the 25-man roster for him.
As for Harvey, the former No. 22 overall pick in the draft (2013) rated as one of the best prospects in the game before arm injuries, including Tommy John surgery, severely hampered his development. It’s an aggressive promotion for Harvey, who’d never pitched above A-ball prior to this season, though it’s also quite likely to be short-term in nature, as the O’s presumably still want to see him stretch out as a starter in hopes that the 23-year-old can eventually be an option for them in the rotation. Harvey had been slated to start tonight in Bowie prior to his promotion to the big leagues.
Goodbye, Mike Wright!
5 runs in two thirds of an inning
Don’t sleep on Harvey. He’s closer to being ready and back to his top prospect form than the National publications realize. Cobb bumps Wright, but don’t be surprised if Harvey bumps Tillman shortly thereafter.
No way. Harvey won’t be bumping Tillman this year. They’re limiting him to 3 inning outings. Next season I fully expect Harvey to be one of the 5 though.
Wait for it
Have you seen Tillman? I’d take three innings of Harvey over whatever Tillman brings every time.
We’ll see Castro long before we see Harvey. The kid hasn’t thrown a major league season of innings combined over the course of his career. Expecting him to start games isn’t realistic. Tillman’s been rough but Harvey isn’t the answer yet. I wouldn’t mind seeing Scott stay in the bullpen this year and Mike Wright get Dfa’d. That’s one guy I am tired of seeing pitch.
Jesus Harvey already? Let him get some work in double A.
NO! He’s been in the minors for too long. He’s a big boy now and needs to learn in the majors.
What is the yay scene like at yuicy?
Tillman is awful and can’t get outta the 5th inning with less than 4 earned. Mike wright can’t pitch at the major league level. Throw harvey in the rotation and see what he can do,
He’ll be in AA by the weekend. Only called up because our pen was drained and we just DFA’d four pitchers off the 40 man for 4 hitters. Ramirez and Hess started this weekend in AAA and were unavailable. Scott and yacobonis were just sent down. Don’t count on HH starting any games. He’s on a 3 inning limit like Scott last year. His is more due to injury than anything else though. As bad as Tillman has been to think the guy who threw 18 innings in low minor league ball last year is the answer is just foolish. Castro, Ramirez or David Hess will be given a shot in the rotation before you’ll see Harvey.
I’d rather keep Tillman and get rid of Cortes and Wright. You have edgin as a lefty reliever option instead of Cortes
I don’t think we’re gonna punt Tillman and his 3 mil salary unless it becomes necessary. Cortes and wright I would think get the ax first.
And Cortes is gone. Thank god.
Cortes is gone.