BALTIMORE—Starting pitcher Alex Cobb will have season-ending right hip surgery this week, Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Tuesday.
The surgery will be performed in Nashville by Dr. J.W. Thomas Byrd to correct an impingement in Cobb’s right hip.
“Some bony outgrowth is rubbing up against soft tissue,” Elias said. “We made the determination to do it. While I do think he could pitch right now, he clearly hasn’t been 100 percent, and it’s more important that he gets the condition corrected at the right time and that he’s 100 percent for next spring training.
“We do expect that this will finish his season, but we’re fully anticipating a 100 percent Alex Cobb next season in Sarasota next spring.”
Elias says that after the surgery Cobb will rehab in Sarasota. Cobb may also have a knee procedure.
Cobb pitched in just three games this season and is in his third stint on the injured list.
Designated hitter Mark Trumbo, who is at Triple-A Norfolk in the final stages of his 20-day rehab assignment, could be ready to be activated when the Orioles began a trip to Oakland and Seattle on June 17. Trumbo had right knee surgery last September.
“The rehab assignment is still ongoing,” Elias said. “The type of injury he’s coming back from is a bit of a process. We’ve been seeing some good things from him down there and we’re just going to have to complete the entire rehab assignment process before putting too much judgement on him because we know these things can have their ups and downs. The fact that he’s out there playing right now is a good thing.”
Trading deadline: Elias is in the process of signing draft picks, but he also has his eye on the July 31 trading deadline.
“It’s an ongoing thing in our business,” Elias said “We have conversations constantly. Most of the time they don’t go anywhere.
“…There’s nobody that we’re going to push out the door. We’re not looking to trade people, but we would be foolish not to entertain future value, especially for players who might not be with us next year … We’re going to be listening to stuff. We’ll see what happens, but my phone’s on and we are keeping touch with other clubs as we go, as is our job.”.
Elias says that he expects there will be interest in some of the team’s players.
“We’ve got guys that are attractive, and people ask about them all the time,” Elias said. “Some more than others … There are good players here and we want to keep them here, especially if they’re under control.”
Elias said the Orioles aren’t looking to trade first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini.
“I don’t know if it’s even arguable. He’s the best player on the team right now,” Elias said. “He’s a surefire All-Star in my eyes, great in the clubhouse, hits home runs, hits for average, you name it.
“We’re not looking to part with Trey. That said, we’re open to anything. We do have our sights set on the future a little bit. If we end up making some trade transaction with him or any player and we feel what we’re getting back is better for the organization than what we’re getting up, then we’re going to listen on it. But he’s an integral part of this team, and we hope he’s around for a while.
“It’s certainly a thought that’s crossed my mind, and again, that would be something that I think would take both parties to find it mutually beneficial, but who wouldn’t want a player like him around for the long haul.”
Elias on the draft: The Orioles signed 20 draft picks and an undrafted free agent, but none of their top four picks. Their highest pick to sign was shortstop Joey Ortiz from New Mexico State.
Elias still expects smooth negotiations with top pick Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman.
“He’s had a lot going on,” Elias said. “He’s completing his finals and then he has a slate of awards, including the Golden Spikes and Dick Howser.
“Sometimes, it’s better to let the players participate in those types of things prior to deeply engaging. Everything is going to go smoothly, is my expectation. The Stanford kids that just got knocked out, they’re actually still completing finals, too. That’s a tough school, so again I think everything’s in good shape. It’s just a matter of time for most of these guys.”
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Am I the only one that thinks Cobb was injured when the o's signed him. That would partially explain the limited market for him last year.
He had a strong second half last year, so it’s hard for me to say he was hurt when they signed him. The Orioles are legendary for giving stringent and thorough physicals. Giving Cobb that 4th year was another example of “win at all costs” because DD and Buck were in the last year of their contracts, with Manny, Britton, et al.
I really liked the Cobb signing at the time. He was a bulldog with the Rays. After Ubaldo, now Cobb (and the ridiculous $3mm to Tillman), it may be a long time before they invest to that degree in >30 yr old starters with hundreds of innings on their arms.
I know the birds have tedious physicals, but his rocky start last year and surgery this year. I also liked the signing at the time. Obviously, in hindsight, the signing looks like a bad move, but when we thought 2018 was going to be a competitive year the signing was warmly received.
Many of these long-term signings prove to be albatrosses. Is Pujols right now worth the money they're giving him? Miggy Cabrera? Greinke has been up and down. Not sure it's good value anymore to sign these guys at that money for long years.
Great things are or will be progressing with the college kids, but my worry is Henderson, he could be as good as anyone in this draft.
Rich, what have you heard and do you have concerns he won't get signed?
Lookouts, Mike Elias said yesterday that he was confident he’d sign.
That's Henderson he's talking about?
Thanks.
YES:(
Incredible for an organization that is tedious in It's physical process.
Could this be the end of the line for Chris Davis via DFA when Trumbo returns?
The Orioles aren’t going to release Davis for Trumbo. If it came down to those 2 they would probably release Trumbo because his contract runs through the end of the year while Davis is under contract through 2022. Less money to eat for Trumbo. If I were to guess when/if the Orioles release Davis, it will be when they feel that Hays, Mountcastle, Diaz, Stewart etal are ready and they can absorb Davis’s contract with solid production from several players making the league minimum
Davis if he continues like this and there is no reason to believe he will perform any better will definitely not be on this team next year and I hope sooner. Elias job is to make this team competitive again not carry dead weight from the previous regime.
When it comes to Chris Davis, the basic conflict between us fans and upper management come down to this-we are looking for any excuse to get rid of him , while they are hanging on to any hope to try to salvage something out of that albatross of a contract. Even if they release him now , that contract is a dead weight. They will give him every chance and then some to recover some semblance of what he once was. It’s a long shot, but until they they are ready to compete for a playoff spot, he’s going to get ample opportunities to turn it around
Clay I agree with most of your thoughts, except unless CD turns it around, I think he’ll be released well before we are competing for a playoff spot. With Trumbo, methinks they will give him a ton of AB’s hoping he is productive enough to be worthy of a trade.
How much trade value does Trumbo have? He’s coming off very serious knee surgery similar to Dustin Pedroia who still hasn’t recovered and he’s probably going to be limited to DH and a late inning PH. 4 years ago when he was younger, healthier, and cheaper , the Orioles got him in a trade for Steve Clevenger. Just don’t see risk/reward in bringing Trumbo back.
He only has trade value if he hits well upon his return. Only way to find that out is to play him on a consistent basis.
If you activate Trumbo, you have to make room for him on the 25 and 40 man roster Nunez is out of options, so the Orioles don’t want to risk losing a 25 year old with power. Ruiz has an option but then you’re putting Nunez at 3b and that weakens the defense. Just don’t see the point in activating Trumbo, disrupting the roster, risking further injury to his knee in the hope you might be able to get another Steve Clevenger in a trade for him. Not worth it
Trumbo would have to pass the physical threshold before they'd activate him,but the only downside to giving him 50 ABs over a 2 1/2 week period is that he is taking them away from someone else who needs to develop. But suppose he got a little bit hot right away and hit five HRs in that time frame with a .280 average and a dozen or so RBI. Depending on the health situation on contenders, there might actually be a market for a right handed power bat who could change a game with one swing. And if they give him a couple of weeks and he does nothing, you just release him and all that happened was some of the younger guys lost a few ABs. This season is about 2021, not 2019 so if there is even a little chance you might snag a prospect for him, I think you take it.
Alex Cobb has zero trade value now.
Keep him away from the younger pitchers...:(
Our two biggest contracts CD and Cobb. Two non performers getting the bulk of the teams salaries.
Makes you wonder which signing is worse... Cobb or Crash??
Cobb was 57 million Crash was 161 million. I go with Crash
I’d say Cobb, I would think much of Crash’s contract would have been makeup yrs when he was underpaid for his production...Cobb has NEVER produced for the O’s...
But Cobb isn’t blocking anyone from the starting rotation. Davis has been blocking Mancini for 3 years weakening the outfield defense. The issue with Cobb is his health. IF he can come back from his injury and pitch like he did in the second half last year before the blisters he can bolster the rotation and maybe be of some trade value. Even if Davis were to miraculously return to his 2013 form, no team will take on that salary