Last spring was supposed to mark the start of Alex Cobb’s time as the Rays’ ace.

The right-hander had dutifully waited his turn in the rotation pecking order as David Price played out his final days in a “TB” cap.A

Cobb reported to camp as the assumed alpha dog of Tampa Bay’s rotation after Price was boxed and shipped to the Motor City. But Cobb never made it to opening day in 2015, after he sustained a worse-than-it-looks injury during a meaningless Grapefruit League game. It became a full-blown torn ligament in his throwing elbow, and he had Tommy John surgery last May, leaving Chris Archer to snag the spotlight.

In the months that followed, Archer had verbal roses thrown at his cleats as he asserted himself on the mound. But it’s easy to ask, “What if?” with Cobb.

What if he had been healthy? What if 2015 had been his time? What if the Tommy John surgery never happened?

Cobb is targeting a late-July return. Saturday, he spoke about his recovery on WDAE-AM 620.

“I’m viewing it as a halfway point in my career, hopefully,” Cobb said. “Get a little reset button. Give the shoulder a break. Give the leg a couple upticks on the strength index and see if that could push me to a next level when I come back.”

Joe is pulling for Cobb, one of the more thoughtful, self-aware voices in the Rays’ clubhouse. If he stays on schedule – a big if – his return could serve as a late-season boost.

It will be interesting to follow Cobb’s progress.