Alex Cobb will come off the injured list and start Sunday’s game against the Nationals, the Giants announced Saturday.
Cobb, 34, suffered a right abductor strain during his last start on April 19. He threw a two-inning side session on Friday and came out of it feeling good enough to return for the Giants.
“He’s doing well,” manager Gabe Kapler said of Cobb. “He’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do.”
In two starts on the year, Cobb has a 4.82 ERA. The splitter specialist has spiked the velocity on his fastball, making him a potentially more dangerous arm.
Joc Pederson, who also has a Grade 1 abductor strain, hasn’t been moved to the injured list. The team wanted to give him a day or two to see how his groin reacted to rest before coming to a decision, and it seems like avoiding the IL is a strong possibility.
“There’s nothing really new to report,” Kapler said. “He hasn’t done any baseball activity. So until he’s doing baseball activities, it’s hard for me to kind of assess the situation. What I’ll say is, as soon as Joc’s available to hit off the bench, we’re going to have him available to hit off the bench. And we will kind of assess it day-to-day.”
Pederson has hit six home runs on the year. He’s one of several left-handed bats, including LaMonte Wade Jr., Brandon Belt, Tommy La Stella, Mike Yastrzemski and Steven Duggar, unavailable due to either injury or COVID-19.
- Mike Yastrzemski traveled from Washington D.C. to the Bay Area, but is still awaiting test results. He had previously tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantining in D.C.. Activating him on Saturday wasn’t on the table at all, Kapler said. Players need two negative PCR tests to return before their 10-day isolation period expires.
- The Giants traded cash for Mike Ford, who has played 101 games at first base for the Yankees in his big league career. He’s been through the DFA process several times, though, and joked with his family that he might be a COVID-replacement, latching on to teams as a temporary mercenary. His goal this year was to return to the big leagues anyway, so the circumstances are less important to him.
“I want to be here. I’ve dreamed of finding a landing spot in the big leagues and every team you go to, you hope that’s it. You can’t look too far down the road, you’ve just got to take it one day at a time, and that’s kind of where I’m at.”
- LaMonte Wade Jr., who’s rehabbing a knee injury with the Sacramento River Cats, hit a home run and a double on Friday night. He’s set to play nine innings tonight. Kapler said he’s been in communication with the outfielder to see when his earliest availability might be. The team had scheduled for him to get a couple more rehab assignment games in, but the Dodgers series is a realistic possibility for Wade.
- One super fan, Mary, is celebrating her 101st birthday at Oracle Park Saturday. She held a poster on the field during pregame workouts that read: “FOR MY 101ST BIRTHDAY, I WANT TO MEET BRANDON CRAWFORD.” When the shortstop gifted her a signed photo and ball, she cried.
