Injuries and Movements: Cobb Not Ready for Simulation Play

Sept. 19: Right-handed pitcher Alex Cobb will pitch a simulated game at Toledo on Thursday.The Guardians sent Cobb to Toledo to join Triple-A Columbus so he could pitch a simulated game in a controlled environment to check the next box on his road to recovery. The Guardians hope he can make at least one more major league start in the regular season.

September 17: LF Steven Kwan (mid-back inflammation) is placed on the 10-day injured list; OF Myles Straw is optioned from Triple-A Columbus; RHP Carlos Carrasco is designated for assignmentWith Kwan continuing to be bothered by mid-back inflammation that led to his removal from the lineup on Sept. 13, the Guardians elected to place him on the injured list. To replace Kwan on the active roster, Straw was optioned from Triple-A Columbus. And to make room for Straw on the 40-man roster, veteran right-hander Carrasco was designated for assignment.

Kwan’s trip to Illinois, which is retroactive to Sept. 14, came at a time when the Guardians were hoping his bat could heat up for the final stretch. Instead, they’ll give another chance to Straw, whose deep batting struggles in 2022-23 led Cleveland to designate him for assignment at the end of spring training this year.

The Guardians still like Straw’s defense, and he was 30 of 31 in stealing attempts in Columbus. Carrasco, 37, was placed on the injured list with a sprained left hip after going 3-10 with a 5.64 ERA in 21 starts this season. Read more >

September 16: OF George Valera (Guardians No. 21 prospect) to undergo right knee surgery WednesdayOn Sept. 10, Valera was carted off the field during a game against the Triple-A Blue Bombers after attempting to cling to the wall. An MRI revealed a torn patellar tendon that will be surgically repaired Wednesday at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Lutul Farrow. The Guardians expect him to return to action in six to nine months.

RHP Alex Cobb (right hand blister)Expected performance: End of SeptemberCobb is scheduled to pitch a simulated game with Triple-A Columbus at Toledo on Sept. 19. He was placed on the injured list again on Sept. 12 (retroactive to Sept. 9), days after being removed from his Sept. 7 game against the Dodgers because of his blister.

The 36-year-old, who was acquired from the Giants on July 30, didn’t make his season debut until Aug. 9 as he recovered from offseason left hip surgery. After making two starts in August, he missed the rest of the month with a broken nail in his right hand. In his last outing, Cobb pitched six scoreless innings against the Pirates on Sept. 1. (Last updated: September 19)

OF Steven Kwan (mid back contraction)Expected performance: To be determinedWith Kwan continuing to be bothered by the mid-back inflammation that led to his removal from the lineup on Sept. 13, the Guardians opted to place him on injured reserve on Sept. 17.

Despite a .400 batting percentage to start the season and earning his first All-Star appearance, Kwan hit just .188 from the start of the second half through Sept. 7. But he went 5-for-13 in the four games before being scratched with a back problem. Read more > (Last updated: September 17)

LHP Sam Hentges (left shoulder injury)Expected performance: 2026After spending part of August and September getting a handful of different opinions from different doctors, Hentges determined the best option for him was surgery. He’s scheduled to repair a torn capsule and labrum on Sept. 18, and the recovery window is expected to be 12 to 14 months, which likely means he’ll miss the entire 2025 season. (Last updated: September 11)

Relief pitcher James Karinchak (right shoulder fatigue)Expected performance: To be determinedKarinchak was sent to Triple-A Columbus for rehabilitation after hitting up to 93 mph while pitching at the club’s facility in Goodyear, Ariz. Manager Stephen Vogt said it remains a possibility Karinchak could pitch for the Guardians before the end of the regular season. Karinchak reported to spring training with a right shoulder strain and has been working toward a return. (Last updated: September 6)

Right-handed pitcher Daniel Espino (right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff injury; No. 12 on Guardians top 30 prospects list)Expected return: 2025Espino underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff injuries on March 13. He is expected to remain in Goodyear, Arizona, to rehabilitate. While the Guardians don’t have a specific timetable on when he will return to action, the team doesn’t expect him to pitch during the 2024 season. (Last updated: May 15)

RHP Shane Bieber (right elbow injury)Expected performance: 2025Bieber was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 10, and there is no return in sight for the Cleveland ace. He hasn’t bounced back as well as he usually does after his Opening Day start, and elbow soreness lingered throughout his outing in Seattle.

Bieber underwent imaging tests that revealed the same issues with his UCL that he had last year. He underwent UCL surgery on April 12. (Last updated: April 13)

Right-handed relief pitcher Trevor Stephan (LCU surgery)Expected performance: 2025On February 28, Stephan’s elbow was examined and a deep bone bruise was discovered. But as it continued to bother him, further evaluation was required. It was determined that his UCL was not providing adequate stability, which caused even more elbow pain.

Stephan underwent surgery on March 27 and was given a recovery timeline of 12 to 16 months. (Last updated: March 28)