San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Cobb is making promising strides in his rehabilitation journey following offseason hip surgery. The 36-year-old right-hander, who underwent surgery on Oct. 31 to address labrum and impingement issues in his left hip, is determined to return to the mound early in the 2024 MLB season.
Cobb, speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area at Giants Fan Fest, provided an update on his rehabilitation progress almost three months post-surgery. Despite the expected two-month absence from the upcoming season, Cobb expressed optimism about surpassing his rehab goals.
“The rehab comes in phases, and I feel like every phase I’ve been able to get through earlier than expected,” Cobb stated. “I actually just started throwing on Thursday, and everything feels great. My legs feel stronger than they have in a long time.”
Acknowledging the challenges posed by the hip issue, Cobb credited the rehabilitation process for maintaining his arm’s condition and shortening the build-up time. He emphasized his eagerness to return promptly, tempered by the guidance of the medical team.
While Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi hinted at the potential midseason returns for both Robbie Ray and Alex Cobb, the team remains cautious in revealing specific timelines. Cobb, aware of his competitive nature, mentioned the intentional ambiguity surrounding his return date.
“I don’t have a timeline, but I do expect to be back before the All-Star break,” Cobb shared. “I think the team is very cautious in what they say, not only to you guys but to me as well. They don’t want me to have that mentality of rushing back.”
The Giants’ decision to withhold specific details from Cobb about his rehabilitation progress is a strategic move to prevent him from pushing too hard. While communication persists among the involved parties, including Cobb’s collaboration with Driveline, the pitcher appreciates the team’s cautious approach.
“I asked when I’m going to be on the mound, and they wouldn’t tell me, but they said it would be sooner than you’d think,” Cobb revealed. “They really are keeping me in the dark on most of it. They just know how I am.”
When Cobb eventually returns to the mound, he will collaborate with new pitching coach Bryan Price, emphasizing Price’s focus on fundamentals, pitching philosophy, and the importance of starters working deep into games. Cobb looks forward to working closely with Price and values his experience and calming demeanor.
As a crucial part of the Giants’ 2023 rotation, Cobb earned his first All-Star nod and provided consistency alongside Logan Webb. Despite the team’s pitching depth for the upcoming season, the Giants plan to heavily rely on Cobb upon his return, and the veteran pitcher seems ready to embrace that responsibility.
