Injured Alex Cobb Throws Live Batting Practice; Detroit Tigers Activate John Brebbia

The Detroit Tigers practically pulled right-hander Alex Cobb out of retirement by signing him to a one-year, $15 million contract in the offseason, but he still hasn't pitched in a game.

He has been injured since early February.

Cobb took a "step forward" in his recovery from a right hip injury, according to manager A.J. Hinch, when he completed a live batting practice session May 9 at Comerica Park. The 37-year-old threw nearly 30 pitches, with Hinch, president of baseball operations Scott Harris and general manager Jeff Greenberg watching intently from behind home plate.

"His stuff has been really, really good," Hinch said after Cobb's session. "He's still working through his recovery to get back, so we just need him to take small steps forward so that we can make an assessment on what's next for him. It was a very productive day."

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In the session, Cobb simulated two innings, but in the first inning, he didn't look comfortable while getting off the mound and running to cover first base on a ground ball.

The good news: Cobb returned to the mound for the second inning.

He faced outfielder Matt Vierling and third baseman Jace Jung in live batting practice, with Vierling rehabbing from a right shoulder strain that's sidelined him since late February.

Vierling, though, is further ahead than Cobb in his rehab program, already having completed three games on a rehab assignment in Triple-A Toledo. He is hitting .286 (2-for-7) with one home run, four walks and three strikeouts in 11 plate appearances.

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But Vierling still hasn't played the outfield.

After Cobb's session, Vierling threw for coaches and trainers in the outfield. He will continue his rehab assignment May 10 with the Mud Hens, possibly in the outfield.

Vierling must be activated by May 24.

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John Brebbia activated

The Tigers reinstated right-handed reliever John Brebbia from the 15-day injured list. The 34-year-old has been sidelined since April 19 with a right triceps strain, missing 20 days.

Before the injury, Brebbia allowed one run on three hits and five walks with nine strikeouts across nine innings in eight relief appearances. He walked two batters apiece in his final two outings.

Brebbia completed two games on rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo.

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To create room on the roster, the Tigers optioned outfielder Brewer Hicklen, who recorded the first hit of his MLB career May 8 against the Colorado Rockies.

Hicklen spent just one day on the team.

What A.J. Hinch says

Entering May 9, the Tigers are tied with the Los Angles Dodgers for MLB's best record, at 25-13. The Tigers also lead all teams with a plus-83 run differential.

Here's what Hinch said about those facts:

"In perspective, it's great for where we're at right now, and I'm very proud of how we're playing. It's just that our challenge is not about best record or not best record, or leading this or leading that. Two things can happen at the same time — I can be very proud of how we've gotten here and what we've done, but also uber-focused on our next series. I've preached that to you guys. I've preached that to our players. I preach it all the time because that's who I am and how I operate. I'm really happy with our guys and what we're putting into the preparation to get the results that we're getting. But it's not a daily check for me. It's part of a long season of the grind. The only way I know how to prepare is to get our guys focused. When you're getting those answers from them, it's my fault. All they're going to talk about is the next series because that's all they hear from me, but I'm very proud of our players and our organization, and the various people who are here, but also a bunch of guys who have popped up for a day or two or filled in when needed."

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers check out injured RHP Alex Cobb in batting practice