Tigers are learning the hard way what SF Giants already knew about Alex Cobb

SF Giants fans may remember veteran starting pitcher Alex Cobb from his time in San Francisco in 2022 and 2023. The veteran was solid for the Giants but also dealt with injury which the Detroit Tigers are now having to learn the hard way.

Detroit signed the 37-year-old Cobb to a one-year $15 million contract in the offseason which was definitely eye-catching given Cobb's age and his injury history. The veteran has yet to throw a pitch for the Tigers which makes it look like a poor decision to sign him.

Former SF Giants pitcher Alex Cobb dealing with injuries again

Cobb has made some rehab starts but he is still fighting through a hip injury that does not seem to be getting much better. He had to receive an injection in his hip after a recent rehab start. It is not unreasonable to think that Cobb will simply retire if he cannot get his health sorted out.

The Giants were fairly lucky to get two strong seasons from Cobb. He made 28 starts in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons and recorded 3.80 ERA across those two seasons with 301 innings pitched. The veteran even earned his first career All-Star nod at the age of 35 in 2023 thatnks to a strong first half.

He was on the Giants in 2024 but missed the first half as he dealt with an injury which is why his 2025 injury troubles should not come as a huge surprise. Then, the Giants decided to trade him to the Cleveland Guardians where he had a 2.76 ERA in 16 and 1/3 innings pitched. He made two starts for Cleveland in the playoffs and had a 7.94 ERA in 5 and 2/3 innings.

Cobb was considering retirement going into last offseason but said he was surprised at the interest he received from teams in free agency. It seems he too felt that teams would not want to take a risk on him given all the injuries he had experienced even if he had been strong when healthy.

It is unfortunate that Cobb has not been able to contribute for the Tigers in 2025, but they have managed just fine without him as they have a record of 48-27 which is the best record in MLB and has given them a 10-game lead in the American League Central.

Maybe Cobb can get healthy and help them try to make a postseason run, but it seems like his body may just not allow him to contribute consistently in the way he wants to anymore.