ST. PETERSBURG -- Alex Cobb will make his first rehab appearance on Wednesday.
"I'm very excited," Cobb said. "It's been a long time. A lot of hard work in the rehab process -- not that it's over, but I think it's part of the last and final step you're going to have to hurdle and remember how to compete in games. Just getting back out there and competing and feeling the adrenalin of the game where it matters is going to be very exciting."
Cobb, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2015, played catch on Monday at Tropicana Field and is slated to pitch on Wednesday for Class A Charlotte vs. Bradenton (Pirates). He is expected to throw one to two innings.
"Excited for him," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "This has been a long road for him. ... It's got to be an exciting day for him, because I know it is for all of us to get him out in the ballgame."
Other Rays injury updates include the following:
• Right-hander Chase Whitley (Tommy John surgery) will throw a live batting practice session on Wednesday at The Trop.
• Brad Boxberger (left oblique strain) threw a light bullpen on Monday.
• Alex Colome (right medial biceps tendinitis) played catch on Monday.
• Kevin Kiermaier (left hand fracture), Steve Pearce (right hamstring strain) and Mikie Mahtook (left hand fracture) were off on Monday as they continued treatment. Mahtook will remain in a splint for another seven days.