The Cleveland Guardians have bolstered their pitching rotation by acquiring veteran right-hander Alex Cobb from the San Francisco Giants. The trade was confirmed by league sources to The Athletic, with the Guardians sending left-handed pitching prospect Jacob Bresnahan and a player to be named later to the Giants in return for Cobb.

Cobb has not yet made an appearance in the 2024 season following off-season hip surgery and subsequent setbacks involving his shoulder and throwing hand blister. However, the 36-year-old is expected to be ready to pitch soon. The right-hander was an All-Star in 2023 and posted a solid 3.87 ERA in 151 1/3 innings last season.

The Guardians' pursuit of starting pitching was necessitated by a series of setbacks within their rotation. With Shane Bieber undergoing Tommy John surgery and pitchers like Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen being demoted, Cleveland turned to the experienced Cobb to provide stability. The team also expects Matthew Boyd to return from elbow surgery in the coming weeks.

Cobb's addition is seen as a move geared towards playoff success for the Guardians, with his proven track record as a reliable starter in previous seasons. Despite concerns about his durability, Cobb's skill set, including a lively fastball and effective splitter, make him a valuable asset for the team's postseason aspirations.

In exchange for Cobb, the Giants acquired promising young prospect Jacob Bresnahan, who has shown promise in lower-level leagues. The remaining player to be named later will complete the trade, providing the Giants with additional organizational depth as they solidify their pitching staff for the remainder of the season.