Tampa Bay Rays RHP Alex Cobb dealing with back issue

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Cobb was scratched from his Sunday start due to left lower back tightness.

Cobb was scheduled to pitch in a minor league spring training game at Tampa, Fla.

"Probably won't know anything until (Monday) when Cobb comes in and see how he feels," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said before the Rays played the New York Yankees. "To my knowledge he could have pitched today."

Cash said he does not expect the issue to disrupt the Rays' season-opening pitching plans as Cobb is slated to pitch the third game on April 5 against the New York Yankees.

"I don't think it changes anything," Cash said.

Cobb said via text to the Tampa Bay Times that he "definitely could have pitched today" and "this is really nothing."

The 29-year-old Cobb returned from Tommy John surgery late last season, going 1-2 with a 8.59 ERA over 22 innings in five starts. For his career, all with the Rays, he is 36-25 with a 3.44 ERA in 86 starts.