Guardians Replace Cobb with Lively in ALCS

The Cleveland Guardians have replaced pitcher Alex Cobb with Ben Lively on their American League Championship Series (ALCS) roster due to Cobb's acute left low back strain. Cobb, who was acquired mid-season from the San Francisco Giants, struggled with injuries and will be ineligible for the World Series should the Guardians advance. Lively, who recorded a 13-10 record with a 3.81 ERA this season, becomes a potential starter for Games 4 or 5 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees. The move required approval from Major League Baseball, which confirmed the injury's legitimacy before allowing the substitution. Cobb's injury woes have included hip surgery and various other setbacks, limiting him to just five starts this season.