Throughout the process of his mysterious battle with “dead arm”, Rays’ pitcher Alex Cobb said all along he just wanted to know what was causing his discomfort. He was finally able to discover the root of the problem, but as relieving as that may have been the resulting diagnosis will cost him the remainder of the season.
"“I’m relieved to know what it is and that it isn’t career threatening in any sort of way,” Cobb said before Wednesday’s game against the Royals. “It’s also good to know that I am in the hands of a specialist who has been down this road before and can treat it properly. I’m ready to get this part over and get on with [Rays head athletic trainer] Ron [Porterfield’s] rehab program.”"
After complaining of discomfort in his arm, Cobb made an early exit during Saturday’s contest against the A’s in which he gave up 5 runs on 7 hits in only 4.1 innings. Cobb later learned that the pain was not attributed to a blood clot or something career threatening, but instead to a rib injury.
Cobb will soon undergo surgery that is expected to sideline him for the next 10 to 12 weeks. At this point, the right hander is just excited that he’ll be able to rejoin the Rays during Spring Training next season.
At that time he will try to make his case for becoming a part of Tampa’s rotation. Cobb has certainly made a positive opening impression on the Rays, as he carried a record of 3-1 with an ERA of 2.79 into Saturday’s injury-shortened appearance.
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