Rays’ Alex Cobb Released From The Hospital
Tampa Bay Rays’ Alex Cobb was released from the hospital on Sunday, just one day after he was hit in the right ear by a line drive during Saturday’s game against Kansas City.
There was no timetable for when Cobb will rejoin the rotation, though the team explained he will be placed on the seven-day concussion list.
Cobb was struck by a liner hit by Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer in the fifth inning. He remained conscious the whole time, but was taken off the field on a stretcher. The team later announced he was taken to the hospital.
The pitcher texted his teammates on Sunday morning, telling them he had a headache, but would be out of the hospital soon. Cobb also posted a message on his Twitter account, thanking Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield, as well as the doctors at Bayfront.
Fellow pitcher Matt Moore, Hosmer, and 13 other friends and teammates of Cobb went to the hospital to see Cobb after Saturday’s game. Moore recalled, “I think he was very happy to see how many people wanted to come and see him.”
Alex Cobb’s hospital stint was much smaller than Brandon McCarthy’s last year. The Oakland A’s pitcher sustained a skull fracture last year that required surgery.
Saturday’s incident will likely spark more discussions on new pitching protection equipment to prevent injuries. Rays pitcher David Price explained, “It’s scary. We know about that. You think about it, and then you don’t think about it when you’re on the mound.”
Moore added that he would be willing to wear protective headgear to avoid another injury. He offered a cricket helmet as an example, adding that he would give his “best effort” to pitch with a protective helmet on, adding, “If I could prevent something like that by wearing something, without a doubt I would.”
Saturday’s incident involving Cobb was also the fifth time in as many months of regular and postseason major league play that a pitcher has been hit in the head by a liner.
However, McCarthy’s incident has by far been the most scary, as the pitcher sustained life-threatening injuries. What do you think the MLB should do to avoid more incidents like Alex Cobb’s on Saturday?
Can’t thank everyone enough for the prayers. Was the only way for me to make it out of there ok. Look forward to getting back out there.
— Alex Cobb (@Acobb53) June 16, 2013
[Image via Keith Allison]
