NEW YORK -- Despite all the back-and-forth, right-hander Alex Cobb will indeed get another start before joining the Orioles on either April 14 or 15.
Cobb, who took a work day on Friday, will pitch six innings on Monday against the Twins in extended spring training. There was some thought that he may not need another game, but the O's opted to stick to the original plan laid out for Cobb.
"Like I told him today, he could come back on the 14th or 15th and it's not perfect every time out. He knows when it's right," manager Buck Showalter said. "He said it's close, so I'm going to believe him."
Showalter said the worry about Cobb's service time isn't a factor, noting the righty -- who signed a four-year deal last month -- is in here for "the long haul." The Orioles have leaned heavily on Cobb's input as he missed nearly all of Spring Training. They don't want to rush his return, although he will certainly add a boost to the rotation.
"Don't overthink this," Showalter said. "When he's ready, he's coming. When he says, 'I'm ready, let's go,' he's coming."