SAN FRANCISCO — Since undergoing surgery on the last day of October, Alex Cobb has had a date in mind when he wanted to return to pitch for the San Francisco Giants. Today he has one that the team coaches can agree on and which the ambitious, seemingly age-defying 36-year-old must also adhere to.
Transferred to the 60-day injured list on Saturday, Cobb will be eligible to join the Giants’ rotation on May 27.
“Now that they have a date, they’re going to plan it carefully,” said Cobb, who did everything in his power during the offseason to get him well ahead of schedule in his recovery from hip surgery, speeding up his timetable. within two months or more and start simulated games by the end of spring training.
“It’s like you’re not allowed to come back.” …There’s always that ‘one day early, one day early’ mindset. And now you can’t.
Cobb was initially informed that it would be six months before he even started throwing again, potentially until the All-Star break before he was ready to play.
“I really worked really hard in the offseason to try to be back now and it didn’t work out, so there’s some disappointment,” Cobb said. “(But) I had surgery on October 31. If on November 1st you told me that I would be on this path, I would be very happy. I think the overall outlook remains very positive.
After suffering his first setback, suffering a flexor strain that sidelined him for two weeks, Cobb realized there was a possibility the Giants could find a more valuable use for his 40-man roster spot. . When his shoulder continued to tighten when he started throwing again, it increased the chances of being moved to 60. And when Mitch White became available, the Giants rushed to add the 29-year-old right-hander at the price of Cobb’s efforts to race back.
Cobb said the move was “a no-brainer,” and manager Bob Melvin acknowledged that the right-hander’s “slowing down” — “I don’t mean a setback,” he said — “made it easier” acceptance of the decision. outside Cobb until after Memorial Day. It’s “probably realistic” to expect Cobb to return on May 27, when he will be eligible, Melvin said.
The emergence of a true five-man rotation in Cobb’s absence also makes it easier to go slow with the veteran right-hander.
The biggest question mark of the season — how Jordan Hicks would handle his transition to the rotation — has become their best pitcher, and now they’re just waiting for last year’s National League Cy Young winner, Blake Snell , getting back into shape.
White, a product of Bellarmine Prep and Santa Clara University, has started 22 of his 62 major league appearances and provides another option if the need arises in the rotation, but he will fit into the bullpen once he arrives.
Although the trade was made official Saturday afternoon — the Giants sent Toronto cash considerations — White had not yet reported to the team before first pitch Sunday.
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