The Rays recalled Alexander from Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
The left-hander was optioned to Durham on Thursday but will quickly return to the big leagues with Jeffrey Springs (elbow) headed to the injured list. Alexander has a 5.66 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 19 appearances (seven starts) for the Rays this season, and he could work as a starter or bulk reliever down the stretch in place of Springs.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Optioned to Triple-A
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The Rays optioned Alexander to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Alexander allowed four runs over 3.2 innings in bulk relief Wednesday, picking up a win over the Twins. He wasn't going to be available to pitch for a few days, so the Rays will replace him with a fresh arm.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Carried to win by offense
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Alexander (6-4) picked up the win Wednesday, coughing up four runs on nine hits over 3.2 innings in a 9-4 victory over the Twins. He struck out two without walking a batter.
The southpaw entered a scoreless game in the top of the fourth inning and watched the Tampa Bay offense erupt for eight runs in the bottom of the frame, but Alexander fell apart himself in the seventh, serving up homers to Kyle Farmer and Carlos Santana. Alexander is rounding out a six-man rotation for the Rays, as the team doesn't get its next day off until Sept. 16, but he's been very ineffective in that role -- over his last four appearances, he's been tagged for seven homers in 18 innings, leading to a 7.50 ERA. Assuming he gets another turn, his next outing is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Philadelphia.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Slated for bulk relief Wednesday
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Alexander is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Cole Sulser in Wednesday's game against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Even with Zack Littell returning from the injured list to start Monday's series opener versus Minnesota, the Rays will at least temporarily expand the rotation to six men to include Alexander. Since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on Aug. 17, Alexander has made three appearances, tossing 14.1 innings and striking out 10 while allowing 11 earned runs on 15 hits and five walks.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: May pitch in bulk relief Wednesday
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The Rays plan to use Alexander as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Drew Rasmussen in Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Topkin notes that with an off day on tap Thursday, the Rays could treat Wednesday's game as a full bullpen day, which would likely suppress Alexander's innings count. Alexander should at least be expected to pitch in some capacity once Rasmussen exits the contest, likely after pitching the first two innings. Alexander made his seventh start of the season in his last appearance Friday against the Dodgers, but the Rays have more frequently deployed him as a bulk reliever during his recent outings with the big club.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Fades in fifth inning
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Alexander allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one over 4.1 innings in a no-decision in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Dodgers.
After working as a bulk reliever his last time out, the Rays deployed Alexander in a traditional starting role Friday. The lefty was steady early on, but he ran into trouble in the fifth inning and exited the game after yielding a three-run home run to Enrique Hernandez. Alexander now maintains a 5.22 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 69:20 K:BB over 81 innings across 17 appearances (seven starts) this season. He is lined up to make his next appearance at Seattle, but it hasn't been revealed if he'll start or work behind an opener if he gets another turn through the rotation.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Pitches well in bulk role
Rotowire
Alexander did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out five.
Alexander entered at the start of the third inning and pitched all the way into the eighth, allowing just one run prior to a two-run homer by Corbin Carroll. He then allowed a single to Lourdes Gurriel that ended his outing one out short of six full frames. Despite the two late runs allowed, Alexander was still in line for the win until the Diamondbacks touched up closer Pete Fairbanks for three runs in the ninth to send the game into extras. The 5.2 innings represented Alexander's longest outing since tossing 7.1 innings on May 17.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Pitching in bulk relief Sunday
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Alexander will serve as the Rays' bulk reliever Sunday against Arizona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Tampa Bay recalled Alexander from Triple-A on Saturday in the wake of Zack Littell's (shoulder) move to the 15-day injured list. While Alexander won't officially start Sunday's contest, he'll be the Rays' primary pitcher behind opener Drew Rasmussen. Alexander has allowed two runs across his last four big-league appearances, racking up 15 strikeouts across 14.1 innings.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Joining Rays on Saturday
Rotowire
The Rays will recall Alexander from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Alexander had been scheduled to start for Durham on Friday, but he was scratched and is now headed back to the big leagues, where he'll presumably work as a long reliever. A corresponding move will be announced once the 30-year-old's promotion is official.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Returns to minors
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Alexander to Tripel-A Durham on Sunday.
The lefty pitched well in bulk relief in Saturday's loss to the Orioles with one run allowed over 4.2 innings and has a 1.26 ERA in his past four appearances, but he'll head to the minors with Ryan Pepiot (knee) nearing a return from the 15-day injured list to fill an opening in the rotation. Cole Sulser was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move to bolster Tampa Bay's bullpen depth.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Decent in bulk-relief role
Rotowire
Alexander allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings Saturday versus the Orioles. He did not factor in the decision.
Alexander continues to operate in a bulk-relief role, and he's had success during his current stint in the majors. He's allowed two runs and posted a 15:3 K:BB over 14.1 innings over his last four appearances, and Saturday was the first time in that span he didn't come away with a win. Alexander has a 5.20 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 63:16 K:BB over 71 innings in 15 appearances (six starts) in the majors this year. If Ryan Pepiot (knee) returns to the majors next week, Alexander may be moved off the 26-man roster or feature as a traditional multi-inning reliever going forward.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Claims win in bulk relief
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Alexander (5-3) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 1-0 win over the Astros, striking out five batters in 4.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen while giving up two hits and one walk.
After piggybacking starter Jeffrey Springs in his 2024 debut with the Rays in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Marlins, Alexander operated as more of a bulk reliever Sunday, with opening pitcher Hunter Bigge exiting the contest after retiring two of the five batters he faced. Alexander came on to strike out Jon Singleton to close out of the bottom of the first inning with the bases loaded, then cruised through the next four frames before departing with a 1-0 lead. Alexander should remain the Rays' de facto No. 5 starter until Ryan Pepiot (knee) is ready to return from the 15-day injured list.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Set for bulk relief Sunday
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Alexander is expected to serve as a bulk reliever for Sunday's game against the Reds, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Alexander will follow opener Shawn Armstrong, who's slated to cover one or two innings before exiting the contest. The lefty threw three innings of bulk relief in his last appearance Tuesday against the Blue Jays and owns a 5.88 ERA in 59.2 innings in the majors this season.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Officially called up
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The Rays recalled Alexander from Triple-A Durham, and he's expected to serve as a bulk reliever Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Shawn Armstrong will open Tuesday's contest for Tampa Bay, and Alexander is likely to follow as the primary pitcher. The left-hander has struggled in a swingman role this season and has a 6.19 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB across 56.2 innings.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Alexander to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
It was just two weeks ago that Alexander flirted with a perfect game in Toronto, but that outing sticks out like a sore thumb on his game log. The lefty allowed four runs over 4.2 frames versus the Athletics on Thursday to push his ERA on the season up to 6.19. With Zach Eflin (back) poised to rejoin the Rays' rotation soon, Alexander has lost his spot.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Strikes out seven in bulk role
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Alexander didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Athletics, allowing four runs on seven hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out seven.
While his seven punchouts matched a season high, Alexander struggled initially after opener Shawn Armstrong delivered two scoreless innings. The southpaw allowed four runs in the third, including a pair on a Shea Langeliers homer. It's been a tough stretch for Alexander of late -- he's now given up 21 runs in his last four outings (24 innings). Overall, he's 2-3 with a 6.19 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB across 56.2 innings this year.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Likely to work in bulk relief
Rotowire
Alexander won't start Thursday's game against the Athletics but is expected to be deployed in bulk relief behind opener Shawn Armstrong.
Though he was roughed up for eight earned runs over five innings while working behind Armstrong in his last turn through the rotation May 24 versus the Royals, Alexander won't be used as a traditional starter Thursday and will instead enter the game after Armstrong once again. Despite the poor showing his last time out, Alexander has generally been reliable this season at the back end of the Tampa Bay rotation. In his seven outings prior to the blowup against the Royals, Alexander delivered a 4.30 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 37.2 innings.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Rocked by Royals
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Alexander (2-3) took the loss Friday as the Rays fell 8-1 to the Royals, surrendering eight runs on 11 hits and a walk over five relief innings. He struck out four.
The lefty entered the game after Shawn Armstrong delivered two perfect innings as the opener, but Kansas City quickly got to Alexander. The eight runs and 11 hits were both seasons worsts for the 29-year-old, and over his last three outings he's been tagged for 17 runs in 19.1 innings. Alexander will carry a 6.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB through 52 innings into his next appearance, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the A's.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Slated for bulk relief
Rotowire
Alexander is in line to serve as a bulk reliever in Friday's game versus the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The left-hander carried a perfect game into the eighth inning of his last outing in Toronto as a traditional starter, but he's slated to follow opener Shawn Armstrong on Friday. Alexander holds a 5.06 ERA in six traditional starts and a 5.40 ERA in bulk relief this season.
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Rays' Tyler Alexander: Strikes out seven in no-decision
Rotowire
Alexander did not factor into the decision Friday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out seven.
Alexander looked especially sharp Monday night against a weak White Sox team, striking out a season-high seven batters while generating 13 whiffs. The Rays left-hander has pitched to the tune of a 4.96 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB over 32.2 innings this season. However, his time in the starting rotation is likely over as Taj Bradley (pectoral) appears on track to return from the injured list this week.
