With the 2025 MLB regular season coming to an end in a few weeks, Detroit Tigers fans were hoping that they could see veteran starting pitcher Alex Cobb on the mound this season.
The Tigers signed Cobb to a one-year, $15 million deal in the offseason in hopes that he could fill in at the backend of the rotation. However, the 37-year-old pitcher has been hampered by a nagging hip injury that most recently pulled him off his latest rehab assignment at the end of August.
Cobb told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game against the Chicago White Sox that he’ll be undergoing right hip resurfacing surgery, which will effectively end his 2025 campaign, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic.
With his Tigers’ tenure over before it began, the right-handed pitcher was also asked about his pitching future, specifically his retirement plans. According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free-Press, Cobb said to the media, “I can’t utter those words quite yet. I realize that’s a possibility.”
Alex Cobb Considering Possible Retirement After Injury-Plagued Season
It’s not shocking to see the veteran starting pitcher consider the possibility of retirement, as he’s struggled to stay healthy going back to last season.
Last year, Cobb only started in three games with the Cleveland Guardians, as his previous hip surgery, which happened during the 2023-24 offseason, sidelined him for most of the year. Cobb made two postseason starts for Cleveland last year, but was clearly not himself, posting a 7.94 ERA in 5.2 innings.
He was ultimately removed from the Guardians’ ALCS roster after Game 1 because of an acute left low back strain. However, despite those injury concerns, Detroit still took a chance on Cobb in the offseason, signing him to a one-year contract.
Obviously, the move to sign the former Guardians starting pitcher did not pay off. Throughout this season and spring training, Cobb has battled with pain in both hips, which has complicated his rehab assignments.
The veteran has made 10 appearances (seven starts) between High-A West Michigan and Triple-A Toledo, posting a 2.61 ERA. Cobb has allowed 15 walks, 11 hits, six runs (four earned), while striking out 24 batters across 20.1 innings.
However, the fact that Cobb could never get healthy and become a factor down the stretch is disappointing. Tigers fans would rather see him get a chance over Charlie Morton and Chris Paddack, who have not been great trade deadline acquisitions.
Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see what Cobb ultimately decides to do about his career and if he wants to pitch next season. As for the Tigers, they’ll hope that what they have in their rotation can get them to an AL pennant and World Series.