Athletics' Scott Alexander: Takes positive step Tuesday
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Alexander (ribs) threw a successful 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.
The veteran right-hander appears to be one step closer to beginning a rehab assignment following Tuesday's developments. Alexander spent over a month without throwing off a mound before starting a throwing program, so he should be in for multiple minor-league appearances whenever he is cleared for game action.
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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Rehab assignment close
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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
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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
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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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Athletics' Scott Alexander: Injured list likely
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A's manager Mark Kotsay said Friday that Alexander (ribs) isn't expected to resume mound work before the end of camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The veteran left-hander was diagnosed with a left rib stress reaction after he struggled in three spring appearances, allowing eight earned runs over 2.1 innings. Alexander is now poised to begin the campaign on the injured list, and it's unclear how long he'll be unavailable.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Shut down with hamstring strain
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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: Opening Sunday
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Alexander will start Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The left-hander has opened two games for the Giants this season and will do so for the third time Sunday versus the Red Sox. Alexander has given up just two earned runs across his past 18 outings and has a 3.41 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB over 29 innings this season. Ross Stripling has struggled as a traditional starter and could handle the bulk role behind Alexander to close out the series against Boston.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Takes loss as opener Sunday
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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
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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
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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.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Likely heading to IL
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Alexander (hamstring) will likely require a trip to the injured list, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.
Alexander exited Sunday's game against the Dodgers with left hamstring discomfort, an issue he's been dealing with for some time. He'll presumably be re-evaluated Monday before the Giants officially determine whether he'll require an IL stint, but Sean Hjelle was scratched from his minor-league start Sunday and is a candidate to be called up if Alexander is sidelined.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Managing hamstring discomfort
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Alexander was removed from Sunday's game against the Dodgers due to left hamstring discomfort, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Alexander exited Sunday's matchup after being examined by a trainer in the bottom of the ninth inning, and he's dealing with a hamstring issue that has plagued him recently. It's unclear whether he'll require a trip to the injured list, but he should be considered day-to-day for now.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Collects fifth win
Rotowire
Alexander (5-0) earned the win, pitching a perfect inning versus the Rockies on Thursday.
Alexander has racked up 9.1 consecutive scoreless innings over his last 10 appearances, and he's given up just two hits, a walk and one hit-by-pitch in that span. The southpaw's strong work has helped him move up the leverage ladder slightly, though the Giants have plenty of late-inning options that will generally keep him out of the conversation for saves. He has one save, six holds and two blown saves while posting a 3.57 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB over 22.2 innings this season.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Serving as opener Thursday
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Alexander will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Brewers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Alexander will likely work an inning or two before the Giants turn the game over to the bullpen. In 21 appearances this season, the veteran lefty has registered a 4.42 ERA with a 9:4 K:BB over 18.1 innings.
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Giants' Scott Alexander: Notches save Monday
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Alexander earned a save against the Twins on Monday with a scoreless inning of work.
Giants closer Camilo Doval pitched both Saturday and Sunday, so Alexander was called upon in the ninth inning with his team up 4-1. The lefty hit the first batter he faced before inducing a double play and a lineout to wrap things up. Alexander isn't likely to see many more (if any) save chances this season, but he's been getting more high-leverage work of late, picking up three holds and two wins while allowing just one run over 7.1 frames over his past eight appearances.
