Cobb appreciates well wishes from Royals

KANSAS CITY -- When Rays right-hander Alex Cobb took a lined shot off his right ear on June 15 in a game against the Royals at Tropicana Field, he was rushed to a hospital but fortunately sustained only a mild concussion.

Among those visiting Cobb at the hospital that night were three Royals -- Eric Hosmer, who hit the ball, and former Tampa Bay teammates James Shields and Elliot Johnson.

Cobb still has occasional headaches and remains on the disabled list, but he returned to Tropicana Field for the first time since his injury on Monday.

"I was so out of it that night," Cobb said. "I was told there were a lot of people and the nurses had to stop letting people in, but it was great to see Shields and E.J. and Hosmer. That was a real class act. That was an awesome thing to do and most of the guys on our team came by. I'm very grateful to have a lot of friends and family helping me through this."

There is no timetable for Cobb's return to pitching.