He was thought to be his staff's anchor. Instead, he has been absent, and perhaps he'll be gone for much longer. Right-hander Alex Cobb remains the largest name who has made zero impact on this Tampa Bay Rays season. The latest health news stands as a concern.
The Rays will begin another series Thursday at Tropicana Field, a four-game set against the Texas Rangers, but knowledge that Cobb has a partial ligament tear in his throwing elbow will linger in the background. Not long ago, the Rays appeared prepared to welcome Cobb to the mound in late April or early May, thankful that his diagnosis in March was forearm tendinitis and not something worse.
Now his situation is uncertain.
Will he succeed in trying to pitch through the injury? Will Tommy John surgery be in his future? No one knows.
The Rays, of course, will move on no matter the outcome. Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi have been strong. Nathan Karns has enjoyed high moments. Tampa Bay is better with Drew Smyly and Alex Colome back.
Still, Cobb's situation will be worth watching. More games will be played in the coming days. More movement will be made. More distance will be traveled.
But how much more must be done without Cobb?
Headlines to come will be telling.
SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHERS
WHO'S HOT
Kyle Blanks (Rangers): He hit .400 (10 for 25) with three home runs and five RBI in six games from May 1-6. He had two multi-hit contests in the span, including a 4-for-5 day in a victory over the Oakland Athletics on May 2. He has hit .357 with three home runs and five RBI this season.
Logan Forsythe (Rays): He hit .364 (8 for 22) with two RBI in six games from May 1-6. He had three contests in the span with two hits each. He has hit .301 with two home runs and 12 RBI this season.
WHO'S NOT
Rougned Odor (Rangers): He hit .167 (3 for 18) with six strikeouts in six games from May 1-6. He was held hitless in three contests in the span. He has hit .151 with one home run and nine RBI this season.
Asdrubal Cabrera (Rays): He hit .095 (2 for 21) with six strikeouts in six games from May 1-6. He was held hitless in five contests in the span. He has hit .189 with eight RBI this season.
STORYLINES
8: Games as part of the Rays' homestand, which begins Thursday with the series against the Rangers. The New York Yankees also will visit Tropicana Field from May 11-14.
26: Games that passed between home runs for Evan Longoria, before he hit two in the Rays' 5-3 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday at Fenway Park. He has hit .284 with three home runs and eight RBI this season.
April 29-May 1: Dates marking the last time the Rays won consecutive games. They'll attempt to win their second straight contest Thursday in their series opener against the Rangers.
QUOTE BOARD
"I do like the lineup we put out there today. The fact that we're versatile with the right-left going through the lineup is pretty important." -- Manager Kevin Cash to reporters, after the Rays' 5-1 victory over the Red Sox on Monday at Fenway Park. Tampa Bay used a shuffled lineup in the win.
"They're so powerful, and they've got a lot of guys that potentially can hit the ball out of the ballpark. So you factor that in." -- Cash to reporters, after the Rays' 2-0 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay allowed two home runs by Mookie Betts in the loss.
"I guess, eventually, it had to happen." -- Longoria to reporters, after the Rays' victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday. He has hit .250 (5 for 20) with two home runs and four RBI in May.
PROMOTIONS AND GIVEAWAYS
May 9 -- Evan Longoria Walk-Up Bobblehead
May 10 -- Mother's Day Picture Frame
LOOKING AHEAD
May 11-14 -- Yankees at Rays
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
