"RHP Ben Lively Replaces Injured Alex Cobb as Guardian in ALCS Roster"
Right-handed hurler Alex Cobb, the Cleveland Guardians\' first pitcher in the American League Championship Series, is out for the remainder of the postseason after reaggravating a back injury on Monday evening.
MLB has given the green light for Cleveland\'s roster substitution, which adds righty Ben Lively to the ALCS roster and removes Cobb. As per the rules, Cobb is not eligible to play in the World Series if the Guardians advance.
The Guardians acquired Cobb, 37, from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline and he did not make his season debut until August 9th after recovering from hip surgery in the offseason. Due to a blister and a fracture on his pitching hand, Cobb only appeared in three regular-season games for Cleveland.
Cobb exited the 5-2 loss to the New York Yankees in the third inning on Monday night. He threw 65 pitches in 2 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three. Manager Stephen Vogt stated after the game that Cobb was dealing with tendinitis in his hip and a back spasm.
Lively, 32, was a staple in Cleveland\'s rotation throughout the season and finished with a record of 13-10 in a career-high 29 starts. He had a 3.81 ERA and struck out a career-best 118 batters while walking 49 in 151 innings. He led the Guardians in wins.
The Guardians and Yankees will face off in Game 2 on Tuesday night in New York before the series moves to Cleveland for Games 3-5.
