Alex Cobb, a pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, has been removed from the roster for the American League (AL) Championship Series after sustaining an injury during Tuesday’s Game 1. He was replaced by fellow right-hander Ben Lively, known for being the team’s winningest pitcher during the regular season. Cobb’s injury occurred during their 5-2 loss to the New York Yankees; after pitching for 2 2/3 innings, he was forced to leave the game due to hip tightness and a back spasm. As a result, he will not be eligible to pitch for the remainder of the postseason.
Lively, a 32-year-old player, demonstrated strong performance during the season with a 13-10 record and a 3.81 ERA in his 29 starts. His last appearance was on September 28 against Houston, just before the final day of the regular season. He will be expected to fill the gap left by Cobb’s injury as the Cleveland Guardians progress in the postseason.
Cobb, despite being recognized as a 2023 All-Star, has had a troubling year plagued by injuries. His playoff performance has been less than stellar with a record of 0-2 and a 7.94 ERA. He had undergone hip surgery on October 31 and had not returned to the mound at the time of his trade from San Francisco to Cleveland on July 30.
His season debut took place on August 9, but it was short-lived as he was quickly sidelined by a torn nail on his right index finger after only two games. Upon his return on September 1 against Pittsburgh, Cobb efficiently kept the opposition from scoring any earned runs over the span of six innings. However, his injury woes continued, and he was placed back on the injured list due to a blister on his right middle finger, effectively ending his regular season.
This development is another blow for the Cleveland Guardians, who will now have to face the postseason without their previously acquired pitcher from San Francisco. Supporters and fans will be looking up to Lively to step up and fill the void as the team’s main right-hander in the upcoming games.
The team still seems positive despite Cobb’s injury. They have confidence in Ben Lively, and fans are hopeful that the remainder of the playoffs will see the team improve on their performance and make the best out of the unfortunate situation. The postseason promises to be a challenging and exciting time for the Cleveland Guardians.
