Tyler Alexander, Colin Poche Non-Tendered By Tampa Bay
According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Bay Rays have non-tendered relief pitchers Tyler Alexander and Colin Poche. Alexander operated as both a starter and a reliever last summer and held a 5.10 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP across 107 2/3 innings of work. Under the hood, he carried a poor 4.68 xERA and 32.1% ground ball rate. Poche operated as a high-leverage option out of the bullpen over the past few seasons in Tampa Bay. Last summer, he took a slight step back as he posted a 3.68 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP compared to his stellar 2.23 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP he held in 2023. Fantasy managers should expect Poche to find a new club and continue to operate as a high-leverage option and could eventually mix in for save opportunities depending on his new situation. Alexander will likely find a new home in another bullpen but could see occasional starts.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Alexander was excellent on Thursday, holding the Detroit Tigers scoreless over five innings in a 4-3 loss. Alexander allowed four hits, didn't walk a batter, and struck out six. It was the best outing of the season for the 30-year-old, who owns a 5.10 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 2024. Aside from the ratios, Alexander also has the problem of not pitching deep into games, as the Rays usually pull him after four or five innings. He doesn't have much utility in fantasy.
Drew Rasmussen Serving As Opener, Tyler Alexander Set For Bulk Relief
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen will be the opener for Wednesday's contest against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park and is likely to go only two innings. The plan is for left-hander Tyler Alexander to serve as the bulk reliever, although manager Kevin Cash told reporters in Seattle that depending on the game situation with a day off coming on Thursday, the Rays could go with a full bullpen game and use several relievers. This will be Rasmussen's third opening assignment of the year, but fantasy managers will want to avoid the 29-year-old, even against the light-hitting Mariners. Alexander, a 30-year-old southpaw, would be the better streaming option in deeper leagues, but he's also not recommended. In 17 outings (seven starts) this year, he holds a 5.22 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with only 69 strikeouts in 81 innings of work.
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Tyler Alexander picked up a quality start in a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Alexander allowed three runs on three hits over 7 1/3 innings while striking out four on the way to earning the win. The veteran southpaw kept the Toronto lineup off balance for most of the game, with most of the damage coming via a two-run homer by Davis Schneider in the eighth inning. Alexander now has a 2-2 record, 5.17 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts over 47 innings of work this season. Alexander isn't a must-start in fantasy but he's worth a look as a streaming option in deeper leagues.
Tyler Alexander To Start On Friday Against Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Tyler Alexander will make the start on Friday for the series opener in the Bronx against the New York Yankees. Alexander has appeared in three games so far this year for the Rays, with one of those three outings coming as a traditional start on April 6 against the Colorado Rockies, when he allowed four earned runs on eight hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out four in 4 1/3 innings for a no-decision. The 29-year-old southpaw has fanned 12 and walked five in 15 1/3 total innings, but the most concerning issue is that Alexander has already allowed five home runs and 11 earned runs on 20 hits for a 6.46 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. Fantasy managers should absolutely ignore Alexander as a spot starter on Friday in the Bronx.
The Athletic's Jayson Stark writes that left-hander Tyler Alexander will start either the fourth game of the regular season for the Tampa Bay Rays or serve as the bulk reliever versus the Toronto Blue Jays in a shy-away matchup. It's a sign that right-hander Jake Odorizzi (shoulder). It's his call whether he'll stay in extended spring training for the start of the regular season after missing all of 2023 while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. The 33-year-old Odorizzi didn't sign with Tampa until March 15. The 29-year-old Alexander is likely to move to Tampa's bullpen once Shane Baz (elbow) or Taj Bradley (pectoral) are able to rejoin the team's rotation. At best, Alexander will be a low-upside, matchup-based streamer in AL-only leagues to open the year.
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Tyler Alexander (lat) was able to throw a bullpen session at spring training on Wednesday. Alexander suffered a left lat strain while pitching for the Detroit Tigers last year and didn't make an appearance after July 2. The 29-year-old southpaw finished his fifth and final season in Detroit with a 4.50 ERA (4.10 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with five walks and 44 strikeouts in 44 innings over 25 appearances (one start). It looks as though he's fully healthy heading into the 2024 regular season in his first year in Tampa. If he can stay healthy this year, he's likely to serve in a multi-inning relief role for the Rays, which will not make him very attractive to fantasy managers.
Rays Claim Tyler Alexander Off Waivers From Tigers
The Tampa Bay Rays have claimed pitcher Tyler Alexander off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. The left-hander was designated for assignment by the organization earlier this week. It appears the Rays are willing to give him a chance as a possible swingman option. Last season, Alexander registered a 4.50 ERA, 1.11 WHIP with 44/5 K/BB ratio over 25 games with the Tigers. The 29-year-old has been both a starter and relief pitcher during his time in the MLB. There's a good chance that the Rays attempt to have him do both as part of their staff next season.
According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, Detroit Tigers reliever Tyler Alexander (back) won't need surgery. An MRI revealed the 28-year-old suffered a partial lat tear. However, Chicago-based specialist Dr. Anthony Romeo stated the injury can heal without surgical intervention. Alexander has appeared in 25 games, logging a 2-1 record with a 4.50 ERA and 44 strikeouts. While he still won't be back this season, the news could have been worse.
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tyler Alexander (elbow), who is close to returning from a left elbow sprain that put him on the injured list on May 2, will return as a multi-inning reliever. "Watching the video the other day," manager A.J. Hinch said, "(pitching coach Chris Fetter) and I were talking about how getting him more game action is probably going to be more important than stretching him out to 60 or 70 pitches." The 27-year-old will toss two innings for Triple-A Toledo on Saturday and then another two innings on Tuesday. The Tigers are hoping to make a decision on his status by June 10. In four starts before landing on the injured list, Alexander had a rough 8.76 ERA and 1.78 WHIP while striking out nine and walking five in 12 1/3 innings.