SF Giants send down right-handed-hitting infielder, active Alex Cobb from injured list

The SF Giants starting rotation received a boost on Friday. Alex Cobb was activated from the injured list, whereas David Villar was optioned to Triple-A according to the team's transaction log.

SF Giants send down right-handed-hitting infielder, active Alex Cobb from injured list

The starting rotation had begun to leak oil. Logan Webb has done well to hold down the top spot, but Anthony DeSclafani has struggled to the tune of a 5.85 ERA over his last 10 starts. The good news is that Alex Wood, Ross Stripling, and Cobb are back.

Wood has been hit-or-miss this year. Stripling had a disastrous start to the year, but he is just one year removed from posting a 3.01 ERA in 32 appearances for the Toronto Blue Jays. With how the rotation is unfolding, the Giants are still holding out hope that he can return to that form.

On the other hand, Cobb has served as a co-ace of the rotation along with Webb. He landed on the injured list with an oblique strain in the middle of June, but missed minimal time. Prior to the injury, the veteran pitcher was excellent as he posted a 3.09 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 8.7 K/9, and a 3.63 SO/W ratio in 14 starts.

The Giants wasted no time in getting him back into game action as he started in Friday night's game against the New York Mets. They squeaked by with a 5-4 victory and there was a fun postgame story to follow. However, Cobb was his usual self as he allowed two earned runs on three strikeouts against zero walks in five frames in a quality outing against the Mets.

To make room on the roster, David Villar was optioned to Sacramento. The 26-year-old began the year as the Opening Day third baseman, but he struggled badly before losing that role. The right-handed bat has registered a .159/.244/.345 line (60 OPS+) with five home runs, 12 RBI, and 14 runs in 127 plate appearances.

Villar was called back up in the middle of June and tallied five hits, including a home run, in 17 sporadic at-bats. He will receive more consistent playing time in Triple-A and the Giants hope that he can still become a role player.