Athletics' Scott Alexander: Reinstated from injured list
Rotowire
The Athletics reinstated Alexander (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Left rotator cuff tendinitis sent Alexander to the injured list Aug. 20, and rather than heading to the minors for a rehab assignment, he'll now rejoin Oakland's bullpen following a minimum-length stay. The 35-year-old southpaw has been strong all season, and he's given up just two earned runs over 10 innings since the All-Star break. Joe Boyle was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Live BP session goes well
Rotowire
Alexander (shoulder) came away from Monday's live batting practice session feeling healthy, MLB.com reports.
The veteran left-hander continued to make steady progress Monday, with the live BP session coming on the heels of a successful bullpen Friday. Alexander's next step is almost certainly a rehab assignment, with a decision on that front likely coming by Wednesday.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Looks good in bullpen session
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Alexander (shoulder) threw approximately 20 pitches in the bullpen before Friday's game against the Rangers and looked good, the Associated Press reports.
The veteran southpaw was throwing to manager Mark Kotsay, who served as a stand-in for a left-handed hitter and therefore had a first-hand look at how Alexander performed. Kotsay said after the session that he and the training staff would evaluate Alexander's recovery from the activity over the weekend to determine the left-hander's next steps. Given his experience and the fact he's a reliever, Alexander could conceivably return from the injured list without the need for a rehab assignment.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Starting to ramp up activity
Rotowire
Alexander (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday and could face live hitters at some point this week, the Associated Press reports.
This is the first report of Alexander picking up a ball since going on the IL on Tuesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis. The veteran southpaw appears to be making timely progress overall, and if he does indeed face hitters this week without setbacks, he could potentially return when eligible without the need for a rehab assignment.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Placed on injured list
Rotowire
The Athletics placed Alexander on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis.
Alexander has been a valuable member of Oakland's bullpen since he made his season debut in late May, and he's thrown 5.2 scoreless frames while striking out seven batters over his last six appearances. He'll now be held out until at least Sept. 2, and the A's will promote J.T. Ginn from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the open roster spot.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Saddled with second loss
Rotowire
Alexander (0-2) took the extra-inning loss against the Twins on Friday, allowing an unearned run on a hit and an intentional walk without recording an out.
Alexander's lighting-quick outing resulted in the culmination of the Twins' comeback from a pair of deficits, with the southpaw intentionally putting Carlos Correa on and then conceding a walk-off RBI single on his first pitch to Max Kepler that plated automatic runner Austin Martin. Alexander has now allowed a run in three straight appearances and taken his first two losses of the season in consecutive outings, and he may be kept out of high-leverage situations for the time being as he tries to get back on track.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: First hold of season Saturday
Rotowire
Alexander was credited with his first hold in Saturday's win over the Astros, firing a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
Alexander got the final two outs of the eighth, inheriting a one-on, one-out situation from Lucas Erceg and retiring the dangerous duo of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez on groundouts. The veteran southpaw allowed a solo home run over two-thirds of an inning in his delayed season debut against the Rockies on Tuesday, but he's subsequently fired 1.2 scoreless, hitless frames in his next pair of appearances.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Scoreless rehab frame Tuesday
Rotowire
Alexander (ribs) fired a scoreless seventh inning in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over El Paso on Tuesday, recording a strikeout.
The left-hander had failed to record an out while giving up five total runs in his most recent rehab outing Friday, so the scoreless frame Tuesday was a particularly welcome sight. Alexander might be ready to return from his long IL stint at any moment, and perhaps Tuesday's clean outing will qualify as the final box that needed checking before the Athletics deem him ready for activation.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Rehab assignment close
Rotowire
Alexanders (ribs) is tracking toward starting a minor-league rehab assignment sometime next week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Alexander has been on the shelf since mid-March after being diagnosed with a left rib stress reaction. The veteran southpaw will probably make a handful of rehab appearances before being activated, but since he's a one-inning reliever, he won't require an extended ramp-up period.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Heads to IL
Rotowire
The Athletics placed Alexander on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left rib contusion.
According to MLB.com, Alexander has been taking part in plyometric work since suffering the injury earlier this month, but he has yet to resume playing catch. Alexander won't require much buildup time as a matchup lefty who typically doesn't work more than an inning in his appearances, but he's still expected to be sidelined beyond the minimum 15 days.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Next steps identified
Rotowire
Alexander, who's been sidelined with a left rib stress reaction, will progress to playing catch as his next step when he's ready, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.
The southpaw was diagnosed in mid-March and didn't receive an initial recovery timetable, so Monday's report provides only marginally more information. Alexander is eventually expected to serve as a veteran left-handed presence in the sixth and seventh innings for the Athletics, acting as a bridge to the likes of Zach Jackson, Dany Jimenez and Mason Miller in the eighth and ninth frames.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Shut down with hamstring strain
Rotowire
The Giants placed Alexander on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring strain.
It's an early shutdown for Alexander, who finishes with a 4.66 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB in 48.1 innings of work for San Francisco. The 34-year-old lefty reliever is scheduled to become a free agent this winter.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Handed loss as opener
Rotowire
Alexander (7-3) allowed two unearned runs on one hit in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Rockies.
It wasn't a great first inning for the Giants overall, and their offense never caught up, leaving Alexander to take his first loss since Aug. 8. The southpaw hasn't strung together more than two scoreless appearances in a row since July, pitching to a rough 7.36 ERA and 2.05 WHIP over his last 14.2 innings. He's at a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB through 46.1 innings overall, and he's added a save, eight holds and two blown saves this season.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Opening nightcap
Rotowire
Alexander will be the opener for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Alexander has been the first pitcher on the mound on seven previous occasions this season. Only once did he throw more than one inning in that role, and he never threw more than 1.2 frames. Expect a similarly brief outing Saturday before he turns the ball over to a bulk reliever, with Jakob Junis the most likely candidate.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Opening again Friday
Rotowire
Alexander will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher Friday versus the Rangers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Ross Stripling had been projected to start, but he'll instead likely operate in bulk relief. This is the sixth opener assignment of the year for Alexander, who has posted an overall 4.01 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 33.2 innings (40 appearances) this season with San Francisco.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Serving as opener Tuesday
Rotowire
Alexander will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher Tuesday versus the Angels, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Alex Wood is expected to follow him and handle the majority of the innings. This will be the fifth opener assignment of the year for Alexander, who has registered an overall 3.21 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 33.2 innings (39 appearances) this season with San Francisco.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Opening Thursday
Rotowire
Alexander will start Thursday's game against Arizona, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Alexander has fallen into a somewhat regular role as an opener recently, as Thursday will mark his third start since July 24. The 34-year-old lefty holds a solid 3.13 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 31.2 innings on the year but will likely only remain on the mound for an inning or two.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Takes loss as opener Sunday
Rotowire
Alexander (6-1) allowed two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Sunday. He did not walk or strike out a batter.
Alexander was the opener for the second time this season, but it ended up being a poor outing for the southpaw, as he gave up multiple runs for the first time since April 29. He's emerged as a somewhat high-leverage option for the Giants this season, logging seven holds and one save over 32 appearances, though he's far from challenging Camilo Doval for the closer role. Alexander now has a 3.62 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB through 27.1 innings and should return to his usual role going forward.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Secures sixth win
Rotowire
Alexander (6-0) allowed a hit and struck out three over one inning to earn the win Tuesday over the Reds.
Alexander has allowed one unearned run in 3.2 innings since returning from a hamstring injury. The southpaw worked the sixth inning of a tie game Tuesday, and ended up with the win when the Giants pulled ahead in the seventh. Alexander continues to function well as a middle reliever with a 3.04 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 26.2 innings this season. He's picked up a save, seven holds and two blown saves, but he's usually only an emergency option for late-inning work.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Returns from injured list
Rotowire
San Francisco activated Alexander (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Alexander will return to the Giants' bullpen Tuesday against the Mariners after missing exactly 15 days with a left hamstring strain. The 33-year-old southpaw carries a 3.52 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB in 23 innings this season.
