The Tampa Bay Rays could move to a six-man rotation once Alex Cobb returns from Tommy John surgery, reports Bill Chastain of MLB.com.
Cobb, who last pitched in the majors in 2014, will make his final rehab start for Triple-A Durham on Saturday and then rejoin the Rays, assuming all goes well. The 28-year-old Cobb, who posted a 2.87 ERA in 27 starts in 2014, is expected to be eased back into the rotation with the hope that he can handle a regular workload in 2017.
With right-hander Chase Whitley expected to return from shoulder surgery, manager Kevin Cash is considering a six-man rotation. That gives the Rays more options and allows them to limit the innings of rookie Blake Snell, who has tossed a combined 128 1/3 frames at the major and minor league levels.
It also could mean a few less innings for the remaining starters -- Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, Drew Smyly and Matt Andriese.
