Cobb reinstated from injured list and Ynoa becomes free agent

The Orioles made two moves this afternoon that kept their 40-man roster at 36 players.

Pitcher Alex Cobb has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list and pitcher Gabriel Ynoa became a free agent after clearing waivers.

Cobb is recovering from hip and knee surgeries in Tennessee. He's expected to be ready for spring training.

Unable to pitch on opening day due to a strained groin muscle, Cobb lasted only three starts during April before again landing on the injured list with a lumbar strain. The hip procedure in June officially put an end to his second season with the Orioles.

Cobb worked 12 1/3 innings in his three starts and allowed 15 earned runs (16 total) and 21 hits with nine home runs surrendered. He didn't pitch after April 26 in Minnesota, a game that left his ERA at 10.95 with a 1.865 WHIP.

The Orioles signed Cobb to a four-year, $57 million contract in March 2018 that ranked as the largest in franchise history. He went 5-15 with a 4.90 ERA and 1.411 WHIP in 28 starts in his first season, which ended on Sept. 23 in New York after he threw only four pitches and exited with a blister on his right middle finger.

Cobb hadn't appeared in a game since working two innings on Sept. 11 against the Athletics, the blister first surfacing and creating the extended layoff. He had to leave a July 8 start in Minnesota with a blister on his right index finger.

Ynoa was outrighted off the 40-man roster last November and quickly agreed to a minor league deal. He missed the entire 2018 season with multiple injuries and appeared in 36 games this summer, going 1-10 with a 5.61 ERA and 1.373 WHIP in 110 2/3 innings.

The 29 home runs surrendered tied Dylan Bundy for the team lead.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias continues to take care of roster business while also having a hand in minor league staff hirings and the retooling of the front office. Three vacancies remain on the major league coaching staff.

Mark Trumbo came off the 40-man roster after becoming a free agent. Outfielder Mason Williams declined his outright assignment and hit the market.

Other recent moves include pitchers Josh Rogers, Luis Ortiz, Tayler Scott and Ryan Eades being outrighted and infielder Pat Valaika arriving via a waiver claim.

Valaika has one minor league option remaining.

More room must be created on the 40-man before rosters are set Nov. 20 leading into the Rule 5 draft.