Guardians Notes: Alex Cobb placed on IL, 2023 second-round pick Andrew Walters being called up

CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Guardians placed starting pitcher Alex Cobb on the 15-day injured list with a right-hand blister.

Cobb was scratched from his last scheduled start on September 7th with the blister. Now, Cobb will be placed on the injured list for the second time since being acquired by Cleveland at the trade deadline.

“There’s no one more frustrated about this than Alex,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “He and the medical staff are doing everything they can to get it better, but it just needs to heal. A healthy Alex Cobb is what we’re wanting, and we feel like giving him the next 12 days will help with that.”

Cobb’s 11 days removed from his last start which was made after a stint on the IL with a fractured nail on the same hand. In that start, Cobb retired the first 18 batters he faced, but that’s when this new blister surfaced.

“It’s looking better every day, but he’s still not able to throw without pain,” Vogt said.

The 13-year MLB veteran has only made three starts in 2024. He owns a 2-1 record with a 2.76 ERA with Cleveland. Cobb will be eligible to return by the end of the regular season.

In a corresponding move, the Guardians are selecting the contract of right-handed reliever Andrew Walters, Cleveland’s 22nd-ranked prospect according to MLB.com .

Walters was drafted by Cleveland with the 62nd overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. He’s the first member of the Guardians 2023 draft class to join the major league club.

Walters would be the 8th player drafted by Cleveland to make their MLB debut one-or-zero years after being selected in the June MLB Draft, the first since Kyle Crockett in 2014.

“I met him for the first time today,” Vogt said. “I’m really excited for him. I’ve seen him throw on video a little bit. Obviously drafted last year and forced his hand to get here, so really happy for him and his family.”

His fast route to the majors has been no surprise with how he’s performed in the minors. Between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, Walters has made 50 relief appearances with 79 strikeouts, eight saves, and a 2.32 ERA.

Since July 30th, Walters has made 15 straight scoreless appearances. He’s pitched 12.2 innings in that span, allowing only five hits with 16 strikeouts.

“He’s got the potential to be a leverage arm for us,” Vogt said. “He’s done well against righties and lefties, and he’s going to be part of this bullpen that’s been special all year.”