The Tigers plan to use Alex Cobb in a multi-inning relief role if he’s able to make it back from the injured list, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters (link via Chris McCosky of The Detroit News). Cobb signed a one-year deal to work as a starter but has missed the entire season due to left hip issues.
“We shrunk down the expectations internally on how long he can go in a game,” Hinch told McCosky and others. “We’re trying to see how the two- and three-inning stints go and how he bounces back from that.”
It has long since passed the point for the Tigers to get the return they expected on a $15MM free agent investment. At this point, they’d welcome any contributions from the 37-year-old. Cobb has been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo for the past week. He has worked between two and three innings in each of his first two appearances. He’s expected to make his next appearance this weekend.
Rehab assignments for pitchers can last up to 30 days. Using Cobb in a relief role could get him back before the end of that window. Speculatively speaking, the Tigers could view September 1 as a target for his reinstatement. That’s when active rosters expand from 26 to 28 and teams are permitted to carry a 14th pitcher.
That’d at least give Cobb a few weeks to audition for a spot on the playoff roster. Detroit’s bullpen remains arguably its biggest weakness. They’ve gotten excellent work out of deadline pickup Kyle Finnegan, while righty Will Vest has been very good all season. Tyler Holton is established as their best option from the left side.
The middle relief group remains very much in flux. Cobb and deadline acquisition Paul Sewald could each return late in the regular season. One of Jack Flaherty or Chris Paddack could move to the bullpen once the postseason begins and teams shrink their rotations in short series. The club also hasn’t closed the door on Reese Olson pitching in October, but that’s a long shot after he sustained a significant shoulder strain at the end of July.
Cobb missed almost all of last season because of issues in his right hip. He began the year with the Giants and was on the injured list through the trade deadline. The Guardians acquired him while he was rehabbing. He made three regular season starts and pitched twice in the postseason with Cleveland. A lower back injury knocked him out of the playoffs during the AL Championship Series.
JF is going to get bumped? He’d certainly get the ball before Paddack. Skubal and Mize are the only really locks. I could see Morton getting the ball in a game 3 too. I think the better question is him or JF as the 3rd starter
I’d say it’s a bit too early to answer this question…
As is stands right now as in the last 10-14 days, it would have to be Morton. That being said, there are still 37-38 games left in the season and that is a very long time for someone to drop off and struggle or find it and get hot. There could also be an outlier where one pitcher has dominated the opposing lineup, even though they may not have been showing their best stuff in their most recent starts.
Either way, Hinch has shown an extremely quick hook when starters begin to lose effectiveness in the playoffs. Excluding Skubal, any of Mize, Flarehty, Morton and Paddack are probably only throwing 3-4 innings tops, so you will see all them pitch regardless in my opinion.
I don’t follow the Tigers much, other than seeing if they won or lost checking all the scores,
But can someone explain the Tiger’s great success this year? I am happy for them. Is it from not being good for a few seasons and obtaining prospects from selling at the trade deadline, and now have found a good blend of those prospects? I know they did a few FA signings also.
Honestly, I watch every game and it’s still a little inexplicable. I think what makes the Tigers so good is that they don’t rely so heavily on any one or two players. Skubal is really relied on, and he never disappoints. Other than that, they’re finding contributions from anybody. And I think that helps them never get too low. The Tigers beat the Astros in the playoffs last season because the Astros lineup is almost exactly the same each day. Like the Phillies, it’s like “here’s our 9 guys.” The Tigers very simply found matchups they liked against Houston’s best hitters, found pinch hitters that could get the job done against their bullpen, and found a way. They lost to Cleveland because Cleveland played more like us and was able to match them with depth. So, this season Detroit wins lots of series because they are incredibly well-prepared, Hinch and his staff are super competent, and because they find contributions from enough players that they can weather storms like Flaherty slumping, Greene striking out a ton, the bullpen being up-and-down, and Meadows always being hurt. Positional versatility, good defense, baserunning, and the intangibles like chemistry and heart also play a big factor. They’re just a good all around team with lots of flaws but also self-aware enough to fight through those flaws.
Other than Skubal, the Tigers have no superstars. But what they have is a collection of very good players that play well together as “Well said” said. They are also above average in almost every facet of the game:
Hitting
#9 in HRs
#9 in OPS
Pitching
#7 in ERA
#7 in Ks
#4 in WHIP
6th lowest BB/9
The only weakness, again as “Well said” said, is stolen bases. However, as he also said, they have a team philosophy of running the bases aggressively and go first-to-third- and second-to-home with the best of them.
The bullpen has been shaky at times with Tommy Kahnle going from best to horrible all of a sudden. Kyle Finnegan has been solid since a deadline trade and young starter Troy Melton is slated for a bullpen role in the postseason. Tyler Holton does whatever he is asked, and has surged again after a weak start. Closer Will Vest is consistently solid.
The rotation is decent behind All-World Tarik Skubal. Casey Mize has been very good, although inconsistent at times. Jack Flaherty was pretty bad for a while but has found it again. Reese Olson is great, but injured. The bottom of the rotation varies for the Tigers as it does for most teams.
They also have a number of hitters having among the best years of their careers including Greene, Torkelson, Carpenter, McKinstry, Torres, Dingler, Colt Keith, and the secret weapon Wenceel Perez. That’s eight position players. The only holes offensively are shortstop and center field. Of those eight, all are home-grown except for Torres (a minor FA signing) and McKinstry (obtained in a minor trade).
It’s been a fun year to be a Tiger fan.
Their offense mashes when it’s on. Their starters can be dominant when they’re on. Their bullpen is lights out when the A team goes. Their defense is elite at times.
The issue is consistency. Some days they just don’t show up and it snowballs.
It seems with the reinforcements from the deadline and call ups the wear and tear is less now…sure seems like everything is locking in for September.
A big part of it is that they’ve had a big divisional lead for a long time. Not that it justifies their big slump or poor play, but I think it has allowed them to not overreact, to invest in projects like Rafael Montero, and to send guys like Hurter down to reset. If the lead was 1 or 2 games, don’t think they do that. It comes with some risks, but I think this month and September is about finding the right group of guys for October and trying to keep every arm healthy. It may come with some inconsistency but hopefully it pays off in October when they have the right roster and a healthy group of arms.
Basically, they went very young with fairly high recruits. They coupled that with a players manager and coaches in charge. Probably, the biggest thing is that have a great clubhouse and they get along. Being that a most of the players are 22 to 25 in age so they are getting married and starting families together. Although, they really don’t have great team speed they run the bases with great desire. First to third on a single and first to home on a double are common occurrences. It is almost rare when that doesn’t happen. Outfielders catch way more balls than other teams because they go all out to make a play. It is how they play that wins games.
Okay, thanks for the info everyone.
The question is whether or not Cobb is better than some of the options we have available in the pen? Hard to know given we haven’t seen him pitch yet this year other than in short minor league rehab stints. The other issue is the roster situation is pretty tight and there are not a lot of easy DFA’s other than Ryan Kriedler. Olson, Sewald, and Urquidy are also on the 60 day IL and need a roster spot if they are to come back this year. So have to question whether it is better to just cut bait on Cobb.
I agree. But come on, no way Harris cuts someone he got so much flack for signing and spending so much money on. I personally think Troy Melton and Gipson-Long should just get more of Cobb’s innings. Even Montero.
It would be a shame if Hurter gets left off the playoff roster to make room for Cobb or Lange or Seawald.. Not many relievers with a sub 3.00 ERA get sent to the minors and the extra Lefty will be needed. Melton has been fantastic and deserves a spot. I could see Paddack getting cut before the playoffs if he doesn’t turn things around. It shouldn’t matter who’s getting healthy. It should matter who’s fills a need. Dance with the ones that brung ya.
Agree. Hurter…and Hanifee have both been pretty consistent. Alex Lange looked OK, if not a little rusty, pitching with a huge lead the other night, but if he can regain that command, he has the moxie, to contribute.
In the end, I think A.J. Hinch is a maestro planning out and using his entire squad. One night it could be Ibanez. The next, it’s Perez. He knows when to pull guys and let him go. Morton looks reliable. He’s been around. He seems like a guy who rises to the occasion.
I frankly don’t care if Cobb gets back. I’m guessing Paddock isn’t going to be on the post season roster. You need 4 starters. Skubal, Mize, Flaherty and Morton is not bad.
How Hinch has used Melton has also looked ingenious. He misses bats. He can touch 100 now and then.
A couple weeks ago, I thought they looked doomed. Amazing how they’ve turned this around.
This had to be the stupidest early signings this year in free agency. If I was the owner I would have put the GM in notice but he had to approve it. The move made zero sense..
It’s a one year deal they took a flier on. No harm.
15 million of harm
Right. And if it doesn’t pan out, he’s gone. Owner says here’s how much you can spend, so you do it. It’s not your money.
Last name = Cobb.
Detroit obligation = eternal.
Obviously, you’re not much on the Tigers….
Alex – what a sad injury history you have had. You would have been the Rays Ace for years if it hadn’t been for your injuries. Thoracic outlet surgery, Getting nailed in the noggin by Hosmer Tommy John. And now your hips..
Cobb a Detroit legend. They name the salad after him? Don’t see as much love for Honus Wagner in comparison
gotta get some use out of that $15 mil
How does he keep getting paid? I’d like to drive a glass car, doesn’t mean I would buy one.
Owners approve the money to be spent on professional baseball players under a mutually-agreed contract.
I’ve already forgotten about Sewald…..
Cobb, not coming back. What a GREAT SIGNING !!