In an expected development, right-hander Alex Cobb was named the Tampa Bay Rays' Opening Day starter Wednesday.
Cobb, 27, is 35-23 with a 3.21 ERA and 426 strikeouts in 81 regular-season starts since making his debut with the Rays in the 2011 campaign. A fourth-round pick by the Devil Rays in 2006, he's the oldest member of a rotation that will include right-hander Chris Archer (age 26), left-hander Drew Smyly (25), right-hander Jake Odorizzi (24) and a pitcher to be determined to fill the fifth-starter job until left-hander Matt Moore (25) returns from Tommy John surgery in June at the earliest.
The Rays open against the Baltimore Orioles on April 6 at Tropicana Field.
"Seeing what Archer did last year in making every one of his starts and having an excellent year statistically and just on and off the field the way he came into his own, if he was given the ball, I'd have nothing but excitement for him," Cobb told the media assembled in Port Charlotte, Fla. "But I'd be lying if I didn't say I was excited to get that nod."
Cobb was 10-9 with a 2.87 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings last season. He overcame a left oblique strain sustained in a start against the Cincinnati Reds on April 12 that kept him out until returning against the Oakland Athletics on May 22. Since left-hander David Price was traded to the Detroit Tigers on July 31 last year, Cobb has been widely considered the voice of the rotation.
This year marks the 13th consecutive season that the Rays' Opening Day starter will be age 30 or younger. They're the lone major-league team that can make such a claim.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
