close
close
cegivel

Guardians pitcher reveals strained hip before start of Game 1 of ALCS

Monicel
Guardians pitcher reveals strained hip before start of Game 1 of ALCS

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Alex Cobb told reporters after Monday’s series-opening loss to the Yankees that he experienced back spasms and tightness from tendinitis in his surgically repaired left hip before starting the first game of the American League Championship Series.

Cobb told cleveland.com he had been pitching with the discomfort “for a while” before Monday’s start.

“Tendinitis flares up every now and then, and sometimes the back gets tight along with it,” Cobb said. “I think that’s all we’re dealing with. I know there’s nothing that’s something that I haven’t experienced or dealt with on the mound.”

The veteran right-hander allowed three runs on five hits, including a home run, with three walks and three strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings as the Guardians lost, 5-2. After the game, Guardians coach Stephen Vogt said the team’s medical staff was still reviewing Cobb’s condition.

“His left hip was getting really tight and a little spasm in his back as well,” Vogt said. “We’re still looking into it and it’s unfortunate that it happened.”

Cobb underwent hip surgery that included removal of bone chips and placement of anchors on October 31, 2023. He missed most of the regular season rehabbing the hip and a subsequent shoulder injury with San Francisco before joining Cleveland at the trade deadline in late July. .

The 37-year-old right-hander made three regular-season starts for the Guardians before being sidelined for most of September with blisters and nail problems on his right hand. He started Game 3 of the AL Division Series at Detroit, but lasted just three innings and allowed two earned runs in a 3-0 Tigers win.

Vogt and the Cleveland managers went to the mound to check on Cobb early in the third inning Monday, but the righty stayed in the game, walking the bases loaded before giving way to rookie lefty Joey Cantillo.

“I was kind of in and out, and I wanted to see if I could get a few more outs,” Vogt said.

Cantillo struggled in relief of Cobb, allowing two runs to score on a pair of wild pitches before striking out Alex Verdugo for the final out of the third. He uncorked two more wild pitches and allowed a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Aaron Judge. Cobb said he talked to the rookie after he left the game.

“I just feel responsible that he even has to be in this position in the first place,” Cobb said, “he’s got a really good future ahead of him, and walking into the bases loaded at Yankee Stadium in a playoff game probably isn’t ideal. for anyone.”

Related Posts