Cobb called the decision to go from a 10 to 15-day minimum IL stint for pitchers ‘stupid’ and not prioritizing players’ health.
PITTSBURGH — Alex Cobb on Sunday will make his first start for the Giants since May 29, just before he suffered a string of unfortunate injuries that sidelined him for three turns through the rotation.Cobb was nearing a return from a lower back strain when he tweaked his neck during a side session, landing him on the 15-day injured list.
The league played a shortened season in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as players were recouping from the side effects of the 60-game season, they had to work around a spring training this season shortened by the lockout fueled by the labor dispute between owners and players. Returning from a three-week absence, Cobb will be on a pitch count and an innings limit Sunday against the Pirates, though neither he nor manager Gabe Kapler were willing to get more specific.Cobb first suffered the lower back injury during a workout between starts in Philadelphia and was scratched from his next start in Miami. When he resumed throwing, he felt stiffness in his neck, which extended his absence enough to make an IL stint the sensible move.
With Cobb making his return Sunday and Anthony DeSclafani anticipated to be activated from the 60-day injured list when is eligible , the Giants are nearing a full-strength Opening Day rotation for the first time since the third week of April.