The Rays lost a key part of their starting rotation when Jeff Niemann went down with a fractured fibula, hit with a comebacker on Monday.
Fortunately for the Rays, they have quite a bit of pitching depth in their system. They’ve made their choice for Niemann’s replacement. Marc Topkin:
Look for RHPAlex Cobb on the mound for the Rays Saturday against the Braves.
Cobb is expected to be named today as the team’s choice to take injured RHP Jeff Niemann’s place in the rotation. RHP Chris Archer was also being considered. The team is planning to make an announcement today.
Cobb, 24, is the more logical choice. He has the experience of having gone 3-2, 3.42 in nine starts for the Rays last year before August season-ending surgery to remove a blood clot and part of a rib.
The team had also considered Chris Archer, who according to manager Joe Maddon has “a little bit more dynamic arm", but they apparently opted for Cobb because he has some MLB experience and Archer doesn’t. Nice to have those sorts of options as a major league manager.
Soon after Rays' right-hander Jeff Niemann left Monday's start against the Blue Jays with a leg injury, manager Joe Maddon said that Niemann would be out for "a couple months", but later reports said that he could be out as little as four to six weeks. It seemed like there was at least a small chance that a fast-healing Niemann could be back sooner than Maddon's original estimate.
On Wednesday, though, they eliminated that chance:
#Rays place Guyer on DL with sore shoulder, Niemann to 60-day DL and Thompson added to roster.
With Brandon Guyer going on the DL, and Rich Thompson coming from the Phillies in a trade, the Rays needed a roster spot. Putting Niemann on the 60-day DL frees up that roster spot.
Niemann's spot in the rotation will either be filled by Alex Cobb or Chris Archer, both right-handers pitching for the Durham Bulls.
