Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks optioned Alexander to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Luis Guillorme, who was signed Tuesday. Alexander's latest stint in the majors lasted less than a week and he went hitless in 10 plate appearances.
The Diamondbacks recalled Alexander from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.
Alexander will provide some infield depth while Ketel Marte (ankle) is banged up. The rookie slashed .297/.374/.446 versus left-handed pitching during his previous stint in the majors this season, so he's likely to see the majority of his playing time against southpaws. Alexander will crack the lineup Wednesday against a right-hander in Rockies rookie Tanner Gordon, filling in for Marte at second base and batting eighth.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks optioned Alexander to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
With Gabriel Moreno (thumb) and Alek Thomas (hamstring) returning from the injured list Tuesday, Alexander and Tucker Barnhart will both be pushed back to the minors. In his first season in the big leagues, Alexander has slashed .259/.328/.361 with three homers and 21 RBI across 175 plate appearances. Should the Diamondbacks run into any problems with their infield depth, it's likely the 25-year-old would be one of the first choices for a return to Arizona.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Gets another start at 3B
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Alexander started at third base and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's 12-5 win over the White Sox.
Alexander slotted in at third base for the second time in the last five games, as Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo seeks more production from the hot corner. Eugenio Suarez's season-long slump prompted the manager's decision to give Alexander more starts at third base, a position at which Arizona ranks 29th with a .588 OPS.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Could deploy at 3B
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Arizona manager Torey Lovullo is considering giving Alexander more looks at third base, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
With Geraldo Perdomo (knee) due back in the coming days, Lovullo is evaluating potential roster decisions to accommodate his return. Perdomo's pending return puts a focus on Alexander and Kevin Newman. Alexander, who has made four appearances (two starts) at third base over the last 13 games, went 10-for-21 over a five-game hitting streak that ended Friday. At some point, the Diamondbacks may look for options to spell starting third baseman Eugenio Suarez, whose average has dropped to .198, while he is 2-for-23 over the last seven games.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Hits in four straight
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Alexander started at designated hitter and went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Giants.
Alexander was in the starting lineup for a fourth consecutive game -- all against left-handers -- and has hit safely in all four, going 8-for-16 with a stolen base, three RBI, two doubles and four runs. He's hit southpaws well, posting a .362/.422/.552 line against them. However, his stay in the majors could be ending soon. With news that Geraldo Perdomo (knee) will transfer his rehab to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday, Alexander's roster spot appears to have a shelf life.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Contributes to win
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Alexander started at second base and went 2-for-5 with a stolen base, an RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 10-5 win over the Mets.
Alexander made his first start in five days and had a hand in both runs scored in the sixth inning. After singling in a run, he stole second base, advanced to third on a wild pitch then scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Alexander's playing time dwindled during May -- a month in which he batted .184 with just 38 at-bats -- and he could be in danger of losing a roster spot once Geraldo Perdomo (knee) returns.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Starts at third base
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Alexander started at third base and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Tigers.
Alexander had one of the two productive run-producing outs in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Diamondbacks reclaimed a lead they lost in the top half of the frame. He started for the fourth time in the last eight games, and it was his first start at third base. After a spell as the regular fill-in for Geraldo Perdomo (knee) at shortstop, Alexander has taken a back seat to Kevin Newman. With recent news coming out that Perdomo is expected back in two weeks, Alexander could be moving down to the minors in early June.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Knocks in two in loss
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Alexander started at second base and went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Reds.
Alexander filled in for a resting Ketel Marte and plated both Arizona runs with a two-out single in the third inning. Those were his first RBI in 13 contests. His playing time has been spotty, as the Diamondbacks are intent on Kevin Newman as the primary shortstop while Geraldo Perdomo (knee) works his way back.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Back on bench Sunday
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Alexander is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
The right-handed-hitting Alexander started each of the past three games, but he appears to be viewed as a short-side platoon player, with two of those three starts coming against left-handed pitching. He'll give way to Kevin Newman at shortstop Sunday while the Orioles bring right-hander Dean Kremer to the hill.
Alexander started at shortstop, batted ninth and went 0-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's 5-4 win over Cincinnati.
Alexander made his first start in four games, as suspect defense kept his potentially productive bat (.845 OPS, .194 ISO) out of the lineup in favor of Kevin Newman (.525, .125). Alexander has cooled down recently at the plate, as the rookie is 1-for-13 over the last seven contests.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Fading into reserve role
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Alexander is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Alexander is on the bench for a third straight game, with all three absences coming against right-handed pitching. The rookie has a lowly .544 OPS over his past nine games and has gotten poor reviews for his work in the field, so he looks like he'll remain in a backup role at shortstop behind Kevin Newman until Geraldo Perdomo (knee) is back from the injured list.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Not starting Tuesday
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Alexander is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Alexander will give up the shortstop spot to Kevin Newman for a second straight game. The pair should continue to split work until Geraldo Perdomo (knee) returns.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Sitting after three straight starts
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Alexander is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.
Alexander had started each of the previous three games at shortstop, going 1-for-9 with one walk. He'll give way to Kevin Newman for the series finale, but the playing time at shortstop will likely tilt in Alexander's direction until Geraldo Perdomo (knee) is ready to return from the injured list.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Not in Tuesday's lineup
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Alexander is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Dodgers.
Alexander has now started at shortstop just twice over the last eight games (although he did make one other start at designated hitter during that span). Kevin Newman will again be at shortstop Tuesday.
Alexander batted leadoff and went 0-for-1 with three walks and two runs scored in Monday's 8-4 loss to the Dodgers.
Alexander served as the leadoff batter for the first time, as manager Torey Lovullo recently tweaked the top of the order. Primary leadoff batter Ketel Marte has been moved to third in the order. Alexander has been adept at getting on base, posting a .406 OBP over 69 plate appearances.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Takes seat Sunday
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Alexander is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.
Alexander has gone 9-for-24 with five doubles, a homer, nine RBI and four runs over his past seven games, but he'll head to the bench Sunday. Kevin Newman will start at shortstop in the series finale at Seattle.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Doubles, scores in loss
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Alexander went 1-for-2 with a walk, double and run scored in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Seattle.
Alexander walked with two outs in the eighth inning and came around to score Arizona's lone run on Jake McCarthy's triple. The rookie shortstop has hit safely in six of the last seven contests, going 9-for-24 with six extra-base hits, nine RBI and four runs over that stretch. Alexander's bat has played well, but defense could cost him opportunities. He ranks last among shortstops with minus-7 outs above average and minus-5 runs prevented.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Out again Tuesday
Rotowire
Alexander (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's contest in St. Louis.
Alexander tweaked his right hamstring Sunday and has now missed two straight starts. He was reportedly available off the bench Monday, so it shouldn't be long before he's ready to return to the lineup. However, with a team off day coming Thursday, the Diamondbacks might elect to hold him out until Friday. Kevin Newman will be at shortstop again Tuesday.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Exits early Sunday
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Alexander (undisclosed) exited Sunday's matchup with the Giants in the bottom of the fifth inning, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Alexander was replaced at shortstop in the bottom of the fifth frame, exiting the game after going 0-for-2 from the plate Sunday. It's unclear why the 24-year-old was removed from the contest and more information will likely be provided in the near future. Kevin Newman replaced Alexander at shortstop, batting ninth against San Francisco.
