Amidst career season at 35, SF Giants starter Alex Cobb added to MLB All-Star Game

Cobb owns a 6-2 record with a 2.91 ERA and 86 strikeouts to just 21 walks in 89 2/3 innings. His 4.1 strikeout-to-walk ratio is the best of his career.

SAN FRANCISCO — In the middle of what could be the best season of his career, 35-year-old right-hander Alex Cobb was told on Saturday that he’d be representing the San Francisco Giants at the MLB All-Star Game.

The Giants will also be represented by closer Camilo Doval, an original All-Star selection. Cobb was added as a late addition to replace Atlanta Braves right-hander Bryce Elder.

After throwing six shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners this week, Cobb now owns a 6-2 record with a 2.91 ERA and 86 strikeouts to just 21 walks in 89 2/3 innings. His 4.1 strikeout-to-walk ratio is the best of his career. More notably, he’s found a resurgence of power late in his career.

Since signing a two-year, $20-million deal with the Giants before the 2022 season, Cobb has seen his average velocity on his signature two-seam fastball jump to 95 mph. He averaged 91 to 93 mph throughout most of his career.

On a team that’s struggling to find consistent starting pitching, Cobb and Logan Webb have been the only two constants. Cobb has made 16 starts, despite a brief stint on the injured list with an oblique strain. He’s never made 30 starts in a season but has a chance to do that this year if he stays healthy the rest of the way.

Cobb was originally drafted out of Vero Beach (Florida) High School by Tampa Bay in the fourth round in 2006. He made his MLB debut with the Rays in 2011 and was a fixture in their rotation, posting a 3.21 ERA over four seasons until he needed Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2015 season recovering.

He signed with the Orioles ahead of the 2018 season and struggled to stay healthy, making just 41 starts over three years. He later signed with the Giants after a brief stint with the Angels in 2021.

Cobb last pitched on Wednesday and won’t pitch again until the All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle.