Tigers $15 million signing takes positive step towards Detroit debut originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Detroit Tigers, sitting atop the AL Central, are in great shape to go on a postseason run. But, aside from Tarik Skubal in the starting rotation, there are a lot of question marks.

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Casey Mize has struggled lately, Jack Flaherty hasn’t been his best, and trade deadline pickups Charlie Morton and Chris Paddack have been inconsistent. But, they could have a potential solution in veteran $15 million pitcher Alex Cobb.

On SB Nation’s Bless You Boys, Tigers Prospect Daily, the rehab stint of Cobb, who signed a $15 million deal in the offseason with the Tigers, was outlined. Cobb did fairly well for his first Triple-A rehab start.

He went just two innings, threw 45 pitches, but struck out two batters and didn’t allow any hits. It wasn’t anything incredible, but it was a step in the right direction for Cobb, who has yet to suit up in the Majors for Detroit since signing his $15 million deal.

Adding Cobb, the 37-year-old veteran right-hander, to the rotation could be a nice addition. While he hasn’t been the best in his career, with a 3.84 ERA, to close out 2024 with the Cleveland Guardians, he had a 2.76 ERA in three starts.

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One of the themes of the Tigers’ bullpen and rotation, sans Skubal, has been taking as many dart throws as possible and hoping one sticks. Morton and Paddack are solid starters, but come the postseason, Paddack is a candidate to move to the bullpen.

Taking his place could be Cobb, who is now inching closer to a return to the Majors for his Tigers debut. The 2023 All-Star starter can be a nice back-end of the rotation arm if he can go for the Tigers in the final month of the season.

He’s still likely to get a few more rehab starts, but this outing, despite going two innings, was a step in the right direction. Detroit needs all the help it can get as it pursues a World Series title.

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Cobb’s return to the rotation as a Tigers starter could be a good way for Detroit to add even more flexibility to its postseason roster. There’s still time before he returns, but after his first Triple-A rehab start went well, Cobb is taking steps in the right direction.

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