Cobb pitched three perfect innings Tuesday in an exhibition game against the Philadelphia Phillies and then left with what was then described as tightness in his forearm. An MRI revealed tendinitis. Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Alex Cobb will have to wait for another season to make the first opening day start of his career.
The Tampa Bay Rays right-hander has been diagnosed with tendinitis in his right forearm and will begin the season on the disabled list.
Cobb pitched three perfect innings Tuesday in an exhibition game against the Philadelphia Phillies and then left with what was then described as tightness in his forearm. An MRI revealed tendinitis.
Cobb will not throw for the remainder of the week and be re-evaluated next Monday.
“I’ve put such an emphasis on training to stay healthy and making all my starts this year and not even making it to the first game before something comes up is deflating,” Cobb said Wednesday. “That’s the toughest part to handle. But that’s just me thinking about it personally.
“I do believe the best interests of myself and the team is to do what we’re doing in conquering and calming this down as soon as possible and then going from there.”
Manager Kevin Cash had already announced Cobb as the starter for the April 6 opener against the visiting Baltimore Orioles. Cobb would have been the first pitcher other than James Shields or David Price to start on opening day since Scott Kazmir had the honor in 2006.
The opening day start will now likely to go to right-hander Chris Archer. He was 10-9 with a 3.33 ERA in 32 starts last year in his first full major league season.
That’s provided Archer can stay healthy until then. After all, three potential members of the Rays’ rotation will begin the season on the DL because of injury or illnesss.
Left-hander Drew Smyly has yet to pitch in an exhibition games because of shoulder tendinitis and right-hander Jesus Colome contracted pneumonia after being three weeks late to spring training because of difficulties obtaining a work visa in his native Dominican Republic.
Archer and right-handers Jake Odorizzi are the only certainties to begin the season in the rotation, though it seems likely they will be joined by three rookie righties in Nathan Karns, Burch Smith and Matt Andriese. Rookie left-hander Enny Romero and non-roster righty Everett Teaford are also in the mix.
Left-hander Matt Moore likely would have been picked as the opening day starter, but he is rehabbing from Tommy John elbow ligament reconstruction surgery performed last April.
Despite the potential inexperience of the rotation, third baseman Evan Longoria believes the Rays will be fine.
“The front office has done a good job of putting together a solid group of pitching,” Longoria said. “The guys who are young and in the minor leagues, hopefully when given the opportunity, they are ready to step up.
“Although we won’t have guys right away who are proven at the big league level, I’m pretty positive that we have some talent and guys who are ready to step in and fill those roles until we can get those guys healthy.”
