Scott

Alexander

Alexander missed barely more than the minimum with rotator cuff tendinitis. The lefty has a 2.51 ERA in 28 2/3 innings out of Oakland’s bullpen this year.

Given the nature of the injury, Alexander’s season is probably over. The 35-year-old lefty has pitched to a strong 2.51 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 20/10 K/BB ratio across 28 2/3 innings (34 appearances) this season in his Athletics debut.

Alexander will make his Oakland debut following a seven-week stint on the injured list at the outset of the season recovering from a stress reaction in his left ribs. The 34-year-old southpaw figures to pitch in middle relief intially, but could find himself in the late-inning mix at some point.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told reporters it’s probably a long shot for Alexander to resume throwing offf a mound by the end of spring training. The 34-year-old left-hander’s absence opens the door for someone like Sean Newcomb to make the season-opening roster in his place.

While we do know the deal is a major league contract, the other details are not yet public. The 34-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Giants and is coming off his worst season, with a 4.66 ERA in 48 1/3 innings. However, he does have a career 3.29 ERA in 270 2/3 big league innings, so he should be an effective weapon out of the bullpen for Oakland in 2024.

The injury will sideline Alexander for the remainder of the regular season. The 34-year-old hurler finishes the year with a 4.66 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 31/11 K/BB ratio across his 48 1/3 innings of work. Heliot Ramos was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move on Saturday.

Alexander opened for the Giants. He held the Rangers scoreless, working around a walk with two strikeouts in the first inning. Ross Stripling took over in the second inning. The 34-year-old left-hander holds a 3.89 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 20/8 K/BB across 34 2/3 innings.

Alexander gave up a leadoff double to Luis Rengifo, an RBI single to Shohei Ohtani and a single to Brandon Drury before handing the ball over to Jakob Junis. Both of the inherited runners came around to score as well. The 34-year-old left-hander now sports a 4.01 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and an 18/7 K/BB ratio over 33 2/3 innings on the season.

DeSclafani has given up five runs over five innings in his last two starts, so the Giants will utilize him in a bullpen game tomorrow. Those desperate for wins in delay leagues could take a chance on him against a mediocre opponent in the Nationals; it’s quite a bit easier to get a victory as a bulk guy than it is as a starter.

Alexander rejoins San Francisco’s bullpen for Tuesday’s contest against the Mariners following a two-weeks absence due to a left hamstring strain.