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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Cobb will take the mound in the big leagues on Friday for the first time in 23 months.Its been a long road back from Tommy John surgery for Cobb, who will face the Toronto Blue Jays in the series opener.Cobb hurt his elbow in last years spring training and had his surgery in May, hopeful he could make a summer return to the rotation. Instead of July, its September, so the return means that much more to him.It wasnt like it was smooth, Cobb told the Tampa Bay Times. Some people just pick up a ball and theyre like, OK, the pains gone. With me, it was like, this kind of hurts a little more than before I got the surgery.Cobbs rehab was longer than expected -- he had to be activated Monday per rehab guidelines, and hes in position to get five starts in September to give him confidence for a return to health.Cobb had an ERA under 3.00 in each of his last two seasons, posting a 10-9 mark with a 2.87 ERA in 2014 after going 11-3 with a 2.76 in 2013. Much has changed since his last outing in 2014 -- the Rays changed managers, and much of the lineup around him has changed as well.The Rays (56-76) come home having dropped four of six games on a road trip, and they face a Toronto team leading the American League East at 76-57 and having won five of six games. Tampa Bay actually has a 7-6 edge in the season series, although the Jays took two of three in the most recent series.Toronto has a new pitcher to throw at the Rays in left-hander Francisco Liriano, who was acquired from the Pirates. Hes 7-12 with a 5.22 ERA for the season, but in four starts since joining the Blue Jays, hes 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA. For his career against the Rays, hes 2/3 with a 4.93 ERA.The Blue Jays for now are moving forward with a six-man rotation, which is less taxing on key arms late in the season but takes starters out of the rhythm and the routine theyve kept for months. Theyre trusting their leaders on the call.If it helps us get to the World Series I could care less, 41-year-old R.A. Dickey told the Toronto Star on Wednesday. I just have to do a professional job of getting myself ready to pitch and do my job when its my turn.For this weekend at least, that challenge is having a first-place team beat a last-place team, something theyve failed to do more often than not this season.Toronto holds a two-game lead on Boston and a four-game advantage on Baltimore, so the margin of error between winning a division and missing the playoffs is as little as one bad series.Nike Shoes Black Friday China . With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play. Nike Shoes Black Friday 2019 . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.nikeshoesblackfriday.com/ . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. Nike Shoes Black Friday Discount . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. Nike Shoes Black Friday Sale . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration.BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have told forward Nathan Gerbe he has been placed on waivers for the purpose of having the final year of his contract bought out, the players agent says. Jordan Neumann says he was informed by email of the Sabres plans on Wednesday, and added the team told Gerbe by phone. The move caught Neumann by surprise after general manager Darcy Regier inddicated several times he had no plans to buy out any contracts.dddddddddddd Gerbe was set to make $1.85 million next season. He had 72 points (29 goals, 43 assists) in 188 career games. Buffalo also re-signed journeyman forward Matt Ellis to a two-year contract. If Ellis doesnt play with the Sabres, the team is counting on him to serve as captain at AHL Rochester. ' ' '