Injury update on two starting pitchers of the Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians thought they had solved their starting lineup problems when they acquired Alex Cobb from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline and signed Matthew Boyd to the major leagues.

However, Cobb was placed on the injured list after just two appearances due to a broken fingernail and Carlos Carrasco was placed on the injured list on August 8 due to a strained left hip.

Before Cleveland's game against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, Stephen Vogt revealed that both pitchers are making positive progress in their return to the mound.

Alex Cobb pitched live from the bullpen early Tuesday night at Progress Field. Vogt said: “Cobb did a great job. The stuff looked really good. No problems with the nail. So really encouraging with Alex.”

Vogt went on to say that the next steps for Cobb would be to “wait and see how he responds tomorrow” and that he sees it as “a day-by-day process to see how he feels and how we best move forward from there.”

Once Cobb is healthy, he will be back in Cleveland's rotation. The 36-year-old has already shown signs of being the All-Star pitcher he was during the 2023 season. The Guardians certainly need Cobb's experienced presence if they want to make it back to the playoffs this season.

Carlos Carrasco's last start was on Aug. 7 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Vogt said Tuesday that Cookie will throw a simulated game on Wednesday (Aug. 28) and they will see how he responds then.

Carrasco's path back into the rotation is not as clear as Cobb's. But the 37-year-old is still a positive presence in the locker room and, if healthy, could be used as a long reliever out of the bullpen.