Orioles RHP Cobb to make debut Saturday

Right-hander Alex Cobb will make his first start as a member of the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox, manager Buck Showalter told reporters Monday.

Cobb signed with the O's as a free agent on a four-year deal in late March. With the timing of the contract, he was left off the Orioles' season-opening roster in order to further prep for the season.

Cobb pitched six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and striking out eight, in an extended spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on Monday. He threw 93 pitches.

The 30-year-old established a career-best for victories when he went 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. Cobb missed the entire 2015 season and most of the 2016 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

In addition to scheduling Cobb, the Orioles promoted top pitching prospect Hunter Harvey from Double-A Bowie on Monday. Harvey is expected to serve as bullpen depth for the club after Mike Wright Jr. failed to get out of the first inning in Baltimore's 12-inning win against the New York Yankees on Sunday.

"He provides the only real right-handed length that we have at this point," Showalter said.

Harvey, the No. 22 pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, has yet to pitch above Class-A. He had a 0.96 ERA in eight starts across three levels of the minors last season as he returned from undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2016.

"Physically he's fine, but if not him then who?" Showalter said. "We had some options, but you bring up a non-roster guy out of options you lose him [on waivers] going back out. We think Hunter can serve a need here. Potentially help him and the organization.

"Understand why he's here. He's the one guy that can provide length tonight if there's an issue."

To make room for Harvey, left-hander Tanner Scott was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

--Field Level Media