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The Astros optioned Alexander to minor-league camp Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The veteran right-hander had a 4.77 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 65:26 K:BB across 77.1 innings between Atlanta and Houston last season but was never a likely bet to crack the Astros' Opening Day roster. Alexander is likely to work out of the rotation at Triple-A Sugar Land to begin 2026 and could get another look in the majors as a swingman at some point this year.
Alexander allowed four runs on five hits and a walk across two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's Grapefruit League matchup with the Mets. He struck out one.
It was a disastrous start to the spring for Alexander, who gave up back-to-back one-out singles before Mike Tauchman smacked a three-run homer in the first inning. Alexander then gave up a solo shot to Ronny Mauricio with two outs, followed by a single and a walk, before he was ultimately pulled. Alexander served as a swingman for Houston after he was acquired off waivers from the A's in May. The right-hander posted a 4.77 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP and 65:26 K:BB across 77.1 innings between the Astros and Athletics. Alexander will likely start the year with Triple-A Sugar Land if he can't crack the Opening Day bullpen.
Astros' Jason Alexander: Can't complete five frames Friday
Rotowire
Alexander didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Angels, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
The 32-year-old righty has crashed back to earth after blanking the Blue Jays over seven innings back on Sept. 10. Alexander has failed to complete five innings in any of his last three starts, stumbling to an 8.44 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB in 10.2 innings while serving up four homers, including a Mike Trout solo shot Friday. The Astros are on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs -- they need to win their last two games, and have either the Guardians or Tigers lose both their final contests -- but if they squeak in, it's not clear what role Alexander might have on the postseason staff. He wraps up the regular season having posted a 3.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 60:21 K:BB over 71.1 innings for Houston.
Alexander (4-2) allowed seven runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings to take the loss versus the Mariners on Sunday.
The Astros needed a good start, and Alexander was unable to deliver. Most of the damage came on a grand slam by J.P. Crawford and a two-run home run by Cal Raleigh. This was Alexander's worst performance as an Astro and just the second time he's allowed five or more runs since he was plucked off waivers from the Athletics. Overall, Alexander has a 4.83 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 61:25 K:BB through 72.2 innings across 17 appearances (12 starts) this season. The right-hander is tentatively projected for a road start versus the Angels in his last outing of the regular season.
Astros' Jason Alexander: Falls short of five-inning mark
Rotowire
Alexander allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out five over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Monday.
Alexander allowed all three runs in the fifth inning, allowing Texas to briefly gain a 3-2 lead before Zach Cole restored Houston's advantage a half-inning later. This was the first time since July 29 that Alexander failed to finish five innings, as he's largely been a reliable part of the Astros' rotation in the second half. He's now at a 4.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 60:24 K:BB through 71.1 innings over 16 appearances (11 starts) between the Astros and the Athletics this year. He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Mariners this weekend.
