The Detroit Tigers have had to mix-and-match the fifth spot of their rotation all season long, and that theme is continuing. Two of their possible options, veterans Alex Cobb and José Urquidy, are both rehabbing injuries and have unclear timetables for their return. Cobb is 37 years old and signed a one-year, $15-million deal this past offseason to steady a young Tigers rotation, and young Tigers roster, in general.
Tigers Pitchers Rehabbing Through Injuries, But Timetables Remain Uncertain originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Detroit Tigers have had to mix-and-match the fifth spot of their rotation all season long, and that theme is continuing.
Two of their possible options, veterans Alex Cobb and José Urquidy, are both rehabbing injuries and have unclear timetables for their return.
Cobb is 37 years old and signed a one-year, $15-million deal this past offseason to steady a young Tigers rotation, and young Tigers roster, in general. After a three-start rehab assignment earlier this year that totaled 6 1⁄3 innings and pain was felt constantly, he had to be shut down.
A hip injury suffered before the season started has been hampering Cobb, eventually affecting his other hip, as well.
Despite countless injections, another bullpen session is still needed before Cobb can consider beginning another minor-league rehab assignment.
Urquidy appears to have a much clearer path to returning to play, but he is working his way back from his second Tommy John surgery. That might be the last injury you want to rush back from.
He is due to complete his second live batting practice Saturday, a good sign to manager AJ Hinch.
“Normally, it's one or two of these live BPs to get into competition," Hinch said. "When you're talking about coming back from surgery, it's got to be a little bit open-ended."
At this pace, Urquidy could make it back on the field by the end of next month. But getting his elbow fully recovered isn’t the only thing that could keep Urquidy out of the lineup.
"We're going to have baby watch with him. He and his wife are having another baby…Hopefully, that coincides with the right timing of him getting into competition, and then we'll see how far we need to build him before we have to make decisions on him."
At least one of these Tigers will limp back into the rotation on a happier note. Whoever takes that fifth spot is going to be depended on, and they are going to need all the positivity they can get.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
