Blaze Alexander Diagnosed With Grade 1 Oblique Strain
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Blaze Alexander (oblique) was diagnosed with a Grade 1 oblique strain and is expected to miss "weeks" not "days." Jack Sommers of Sports Illustrated noted that the young infielder may not be ready in time for Opening Day. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status during camp as he slowly works his way back to the field. Last season the 25-year-old made his MLB debut and held a .247/.321/.343 line with seven doubles and three home runs. He held a 15:49 BB:K ratio. He generated a weak .258 xwOBA with a low .281 xSLG. However, he did draw walks at a modest 8.1 percent rate. While sidelined fantasy managers should expect Geraldo Perdomo to see most of the starts at shortstop with Garrett Hampson operating as the No. 2 option.
MLB.com's Steve Gilbert wonders if the Arizona Diamondbacks would consider turning shortstop Blaze Alexander into a Chris Taylor-type of multi-positional player moving forward. Alexander has appeared at shortstop, second base and third base at the major-league level, but he has yet to play the outfield. The 25-year-old is an above-average athlete that can run, and he also possesses a strong arm, so he shouldn't have a ton of issues learning the outfield. Using Alexander at other positions in the outfield would make him much more valuable and give manager Torey Lovullo a lot more options in game. An 11th-round selection in 2018, Alexander made his big-league debut in 2024 for the Snakes and saw extensive action, appearing in 61 games and slashing .247/.321/.343 with a .664 OPS, three home runs, 21 RBI, three steals and 19 runs scored in 185 plate appearances.
Arizona Diamondbacks middle infielder Blaze Alexander has begun to heat up with another big performance in Tuesday's victory versus the rival San Francisco Giants. Alexander went 3-for-4 with two runs and a RBI on Tuesday and now has eight hits over his last 16 at-bats with four runs and three RBI. Overall, the 24-year-old has been putting together a solid rookie campaign, but he will need to keep his hot streak up with shortstops Geraldo Perdomo (knee) and Jordan Lawlar (thumb) both on rehab assignments. Alexander is worth riding with the way his bat is swinging at the moment, but is nothing more than a streamer in redraft leagues, especially with Lawlar and Perdomo eventually returning.
Arizona Diamondbacks rookie infielder Blaze Alexander is serving as the designated hitter and will bat leadoff on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander James Paxton. Alexander will serve as the club's DH instead of Joc Pederson with the veteran left-hander on the mound in the series opener in Arizona. The 24-year-old former 11th-round pick in 2018 has been great for the Snakes so far in 2024, hitting .322 (19-for-59) with three home runs, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored in his first 20 major-league contests. In his last seven games, he's gone 9-for-24 (.375) with a homer, five doubles, nine RBI and four runs scored. Against left-handers, he's gone 12-for-32 (.375) with two home runs and six RBI, so it's easy to see why he's hitting leadoff against Paxton on Monday.
Arizona Diamondbacks rookie infielder Blaze Alexander (hamstring) remains out of the team's starting lineup on Tuesday as they get set to face the St. Louis Cardinals. Alexander injured his right hamstring on Sunday and will miss his second straight game as a result. The 24-year-old was reportedly available off the bench in Monday's game, though, so it doesn't appear to be a serious injury and he should be considered day-to-day. Kevin Newman is starting at the 6 on Tuesday and will hit eighth against Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz. Although Newman has hit .583 with a 1.416 OPS and five RBI in 12 career at-bats against Matz, he'll still be a low-upside DFS sleeper on Tuesday. Alexander has looked great in his first 18 major-league games in 2024, going 17-for-53 (.321) with three home runs, 13 RBI and a steal in his first 58 plate appearances.
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander (hamstring) was forced to exit early during Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. The young shortstop was pulled out of the game due to cramping in his right hamstring. This sounds like a minor issue that shouldn't force Alexander to the injured list. For the moment, fantasy managers should consider Alexander as day-to-day. Kevin Newman figures to see more playing time until Alexander is ready again.
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Blaze Alexander went 2-for-2 with his second home run of the season in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Rockies and also drew a walk. The 24-year-old has hit safely in four straight games now and is showing well at the plate in his debut, going 10-for-29 (.345) with two home runs, four RBI, five runs scored, one stolen base, and a 4:9 BB:K in 33 plate appearances. The youngster is filling in for injured Geraldo Perdomo, who is expected back in about a month, but Alexander provides a little more pop than Perdomo. If he continues to hit well it might be hard to get him out of the lineup when Perdomo returns, but he could potentially DH as well. Alexander is also eligible at second base in Yahoo leagues which gives managers additional flexibility.
Blaze Alexander Finishes Impressive Spring With Homer
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop prospect Blaze Alexander finished his impressive Cactus League by going 1-for-2 with a walk and two-run homer versus the Cleveland Guardians. Alexander, 24, made waves this spring by hitting .400 (22-for-55) with two homers, eight RBI and five stolen bases. Alexander has put the pressure on the Diamondbacks to let him break camp as a bench option. Despite shortstop Jordan Lawlar having the better long-term future, it will be hard for the Diamondbacks to send Alexander packing after putting up some of the best spring numbers in all of baseball. If he does break camp, Alexander would operate in a utility role to start the season and could be avoided to minimal opportunity.
Blaze Alexander
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Diamondbacks
