70 Tyler Alexander SP

Manager Ron Gardenhire plans to use Alexander as a "piggyback" reliever behind starter Daniel Norris in Wednesday's game against the Astros, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Drew VerHagen had piggybacked Norris in the latter's last two turns through the rotation, but Alexander now looks on track to get a trial in that role after moving back up to the big club Tuesday, when Matthew Boyd (personal) was placed on the paternity list. Expect Norris to work around 3-to-4 innings before giving way to Alexander, who should handle a similar workload.

Alexander was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.

Alexander was sent back to the minors following Friday's matchup, but since he's replacing Matthew Boyd (paternity), he won't need to wait 10 days before rejoining the big-league club. The lefty has accrued a 6.59 ERA and 1.65 WHIP with a 24:4 K:BB over 27.1 innings this season in the majors.

Alexander was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following Friday's game against the Rays.

Alexander had allowed five runs over one inning of relief work after being removed from the starting rotation, resulting in a demotion. Jordan Zimmermann (neck) will be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday to take Alexander's place on the 25-man roster.

Alexander will pitch out of the bullpen rather than as a starter, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Alexander has made five appearances with the big-league club this season -- all starts to this point -- racking up a 5.13 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 24 strikeouts across 26.1 innings. As a result of his struggles, he'll be moved to a relief role, with Edwin Jackson replacing him in the rotation.

Alexander (0-3) allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk while striking out six across 4.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the White Sox.

Alexander struggled throughout the start, allowing at least one earned run in four of the innings that he appeared. He was ultimately ousted in the fifth inning when he allowed three of the first four batters he faced to reach base, resulting in the final two earned runs charged against him crossing the plate. On the brighter side, he did manage six punchouts and now has a 24:3 K:BB across 26.1 innings this season. His ratios are less impressive, as he's posted a 5.13 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. Alexander will draw his next start Tuesday against the Mariners.

Alexander (0-2) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on 10 hits over 5.2 innings while striking out four as the Tigers were downed 5-4 by the Rangers.

A late rally nearly got the rookie lefty off the hook for the loss, but Detroit fell just short. Alexander threw 60 of 85 pitches for strikes, and he's pitching well enough to keep his spot in a Tigers rotation that lacks better options at the moment. He'll carry a 4.50 ERA and 18:2 K:BB through his first 22 big-league innings into his next start Wednesday, at home against the White Sox.

Alexander (0-1) was the pitcher of record in Saturday's 8-1 loss to the Mariners after surrendering four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out nine over 4.1 innings.

Though his ERA and WHIP climbed significantly during the outing, Alexander's underlying numbers painted a rosier picture for his performance. Among the 22 batters he faced, Alexander generated 10 swinging strikes and 10 groundballs, but he was largely undone by the Mariners running up a .727 BABIP. Since serving up two home runs in his MLB debut July 3, Alexander has kept the ball in the yard over his subsequent two starts, which offers encouragement for his prospects moving forward.

Alexander will start Saturday's game against the Mariners.

The Tigers lack appealing rotation options beyond ace Matthew Boyd, making it no surprise that Alexander will earn a second turn after limiting the Blue Jays to one run over seven innings last weekend. The lefty posted a useful 94:18 K:BB in 85 frames at Triple-A Toledo earlier this season, but a 1.9 HR/9 played a major part in him posting a 5.72 ERA. Alexander's flyball tendencies will make it difficult to count on him consistently turning in quality starts.

Alexander gave up one run on three hits and one walk while striking out one through seven innings in a no-decision against the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Alexander didn't generate a ton of whiffs, but he forced plenty of soft contact and kept the Blue Jays from the basepaths for most of this outing. He retired the final 14 batters he faced and delivered his first quality start. While the 25-year-old had a 5.72 ERA in Triple-A, Alexander has likely earned an extended opportunity with the big-league club after this performance.

Alexander was recalled from Triple-A Toledo ahead of his start Sunday against the Blue Jays.

The 25-year-old lefty has a 5.72 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 94 strikeouts in 85 innings at Triple-A. Alexander gave up two runs in five innings in his only MLB start from earlier this season. The expectation is that Alexander will stick in the rotation going forward.

Alexander will be recalled and will start Sunday's contest against the Blue Jays, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Alexander will fill in the rotation after Spencer Turnbull (back) was forced back to the injured list. The 25-year-old has recorded a 5.72 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 94 strikeouts across 85 innings for Triple-A Toledo this season. He will make his second appearance for Detroit on Sunday after making his major-league debut earlier this month. In that outing, he allowed two earned runs on five hits while striking out four across five innings.

Alexander could be called up to start Sunday against Toronto, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Alexander was scratched from his start Friday with Triple-A Toledo, making him seem like an obvious choice to handle Sunday's assignment. The 25-year-old has one career big-league appearance, giving up two runs in a five-inning start in early July.

Alexander was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after starting Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the White Sox. He allowed two runs on five hits while recording four strikeoutso over five innings, but he did not factor in the decision.

Alexander pitched well in his major-league debut and was only hurt by a pair of solo homers, but he'll still return to the minors as expected after serving as the 26th man for the twin bill. The 24-year-old seemingly put himself in a good spot to return to the majors later in the season when the Tigers eventually need an additional starter.

The Tigers selected Alexander's contract from Triple-A Toledo ahead of his scheduled start for the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader with the White Sox.

Alexander will act as the 26th man for the doubleheader, meaning he'll likely be ticketed for a return to Toledo immediately after making his MLB debut. In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for the southpaw, the Tigers designated reliever Jose Fernandez for assignment. Over 73.2 innings in the International League this season, Alexander has posted a 6.23 ERA and 87:18 K:BB.

Alexander will have his contract selected from Triple-A Toledo by the Tigers to start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the White Sox, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Alexander is set to serve as the 26th man for twin bill and will likely return to the minors after making his major-league debut. The 24-year-old has a 6.23 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 87:18 K:BB over 73.2 innings with the Mud Hens this season.

Alexander agreed to a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old lefty split 2018 between Double-A and Triple-A in the Tigers' organization, producing a 4.44 ERA in 140 combined innings. Alexander will get some exposure to the major-league coaching staff to start camp, though it's unlikely that he breaks camp in the majors given that he has yet to pitch above Double-A in his professional career.

Alexander was promoted to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Emily Waldon of The Athletic Detroit reports.

Alexander -- a 2015 second-round pick -- has been at Double-A Erie since the end of the 2016 season, and has a 3.75 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and nine walks over 48 innings for the SeaWolves this season. The 23-year-old has allowed seven home runs and a .325 opponent batting average, but will nonetheless head to the Triple-A level for the first time in his career.