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The Cleveland Guardians dropped Game 1 of the ALCS, 5-2, to the New York Yankees on Monday night. The starting pitcher for the game was right-hander Alex Cobb. It’s now over for the season.
Cobb, who is suffering from a lower back strain, has been replaced on the ALCS roster by right-handed pitcher Ben Lively, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday afternoon. MLB made the announcement instead of the Guardians because the league must approve any roster substitutions during the Series. Cobb was approved to be substituted due to injury. MLB’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gary Green, conducted a complete review of the medical information.
As a result, Cobb will not only be eligible under the rule to return for the rest of the ALCS, of course, but also for the World Series, should the Guardians advance.
Lively, 32, was 13-10 with a 3.81 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP and 118 strikeouts versus 49 walks in 151 innings this season in the Guardians rotation. He hasn’t pitched since September 28, but by taking Cobb’s place, he immediately becomes a candidate to start Game 4 or Game 5 of the series behind Tanner Bibby (Game 2) and possibly Matthew Boyd (Game 3). Gavin Williams and Lively are the two players remaining on the roster, although Joey Cantelo has started and been rested. There is also the possibility of a bullpen.
As for Cobb, he was acquired by the Guardians on July 30 in exchange for minor league outfielder Jacob Bresnahan and a player to be named later (who ended up being minor leaguer Nate Foreman). Cobb was injured at the time, although he was on his way back. He continued to deal with injuries the rest of the way and only pitched in three regular season games and two playoff games, pitching 22 innings in total. He now hits free agency at the age of 37.