Detroit signed Alex Cobb to a one-year, $15M deal in December 2024. The 37-year-old has spent the early 2025 season rehabbing hip injuries and has yet to pitch for Detroit, fueling questions about whether this will be Cobb’s final major league chapter. For fantasy managers, Cobb represents a high-risk, late-round speculative add whose return timeline and workload are critical variables.

As Cobb works back from rehab, his health and durability will dictate Detroit’s rotation depth and streaming options. Until clarity emerges on velocity, stamina, and innings, tread carefully in redraft leagues and monitor reports closely for any sign of a concrete return plan or innings cap.

Parker Meadows’ quad strain is moving toward a comeback, with a return-to-play progression on the road as he eyes a rehab assignment at Toledo on Aug. 19. He’s been through outfield drills and base-running checks, and Tigers leadership stressed the baseball activities must ramp up before game action resumes. Meadows is 25 and slashing .200 in 2025 with 2 homers across 38 games, still adjusting after musculocutaneous nerve injury and a prior hamstring issue. Alex Cobb is likewise pushing through rehab, completing a fourth Toledo start with velocity showing some decline but encouraging signs. Detroit signed Cobb for $15 million on a one-year deal, and manager A.J. Hinch remains hopeful about multi-inning progress as the club builds depth behind a banged-up rotation. The Tigers are balancing rehab with live-game needs, leaning on the minor-league system (Toledo Mud Hens, Lakeland, West Michigan, and Lakeland) to phase players back in while preserving roster leverage for a stretch run.

Meadows’ rehab focus includes running the bases at full speed as the final box to check, with a road-heavy schedule complicating workouts. Cobb’s arc features incremental innings and bullpen work to regain capacity after hip injuries. The storyline centers on whether Detroit can maximize Meadows’ impact upon activation and whether Cobb can regain his 2023-24 form enough to support a playoff push. Fantasy managers should monitor Meadows’ ramp timetable and Cobb’s velocity trend and workload as August turns to September.

The Detroit Tigers are grappling with a challenging situation as both Alex Cobb and José Urquidy are sidelined with injuries, creating uncertainty around the fifth starter spot in their rotation. Cobb, who was signed for $15 million to provide stability, has struggled with persistent hip issues that have derailed his return to the mound. His rehab process has been plagued by setbacks, leaving him reliant on further evaluations before resuming minor league action.

On the other hand, Urquidy seems to be on a more hopeful path as he recovers from his second Tommy John surgery. His live batting practice sessions are a promising sign for manager A.J. Hinch, although family commitments are also a factor in his timeline. The return of either pitcher will be crucial for the Tigers, who will need them to build confidence and contribute to the pitching staff as the season progresses.

The Detroit Tigers are experiencing a critical phase in their pitching lineup, with four pitchers confirmed for the starting rotation: Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Reese Olson, and Casey Mize. Notably, Skubal stands out with an impressive sub-3.00 ERA. The fifth spot has been a rotation of Keider Montero, Sawyer Gipson-Long, and Troy Melton, mainly due to injuries affecting the team, most notably Alex Cobb's persistent hip issues. Cobb has struggled with injuries for the majority of the season and is currently on the injured list with no clear timetable for a return.

Another player recovering is José Urquidy, who is progressing well post-surgery. Expected to begin a rehab assignment soon, there is optimism for his return to the rotation by the end of August. Meanwhile, Sawyer Gipson-Long is also set to resume his rehab following a recent setback with neck stiffness. The Tigers' pitching depth is being tested as they navigate these challenges, but their management remains hopeful about the potential for these pitchers to contribute meaningfully in the latter part of the season.

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch emphasizes the need for his players to remain 'humble and hungry' as they return from the All-Star break, leading the league with a 59-38 record. Despite their strong performance, Hinch reflects on the team’s recent struggles, including a four-game losing streak prompted by a series sweep against the Seattle Mariners. Key players such as Javier Báez, Riley Greene, and Gleyber Torres participated in the All-Star Game, and while the team aims for the AL Central title, they must address their bullpen's inefficiencies, which rank 26th in the MLB.

In injury news, outfielder Kerry Carpenter is nearing a return from a hamstring strain, while pitcher Alex Cobb continues to manage hip issues, undergoing injections. The Tigers are poised to start a crucial series against the Texas Rangers, hoping to regain momentum and strengthen their playoff position.