Alexander (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday and could face live hitters at some point this week, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is the first report of Alexander picking up a ball since going on the IL on Tuesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis. The veteran southpaw appears to be making timely progress overall, and if he does indeed face hitters this week without setbacks, he could potentially return when eligible without the need for a rehab assignment.

The Athletics placed Alexander on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis, retroactive to Aug. 18.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander has been a valuable member of Oakland's bullpen since he made his season debut in late May, and he's thrown 5.2 scoreless frames while striking out seven batters over his last six appearances. He'll now be held out until at least Sept. 2, and the A's will promote J.T. Ginn from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the open roster spot.

Alexander (1-2) got the victory over the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing an earned run on a hit and a walk over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander was the first reliever out of the bullpen following JP Sears' impressive six-inning start, and while the former did falter by allowing a Ketel Marte go-ahead RBI single, he was able to limit the damage to that one run. Alexander then became the beneficiary of a three-run eighth-inning rally by Oakland, which gave the A's a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Alexander posted a career-high seven wins with the Giants in 2023, but Friday's victory was his first of this season and came in an outing where he was scored upon for the fifth time in eight appearances.

Alexander (0-2) took the extra-inning loss against the Twins on Friday, allowing an unearned run on a hit and an intentional walk without recording an out.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander's lighting-quick outing resulted in the culmination of the Twins' comeback from a pair of deficits, with the southpaw intentionally putting Carlos Correa on and then conceding a walk-off RBI single on his first pitch to Max Kepler that plated automatic runner Austin Martin. Alexander has now allowed a run in three straight appearances and taken his first two losses of the season in consecutive outings, and he may be kept out of high-leverage situations for the time being as he tries to get back on track.

Alexander (0-1) took the loss against the Padres on Tuesday, allowing an earned run on one hit and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Unfortunately for Alexander, the one hit he allowed was a walk-off solo home run to Kyle Higashioka, saddling the veteran southpaw with his first loss of the season. Alexander has now allowed an earned run in each of his last two appearances after generating four consecutive scoreless efforts of an inning apiece, but he's still carrying an acceptable 4.00 ERA and stellar 0.67 WHIP across the nine innings covering his 10 appearances.

Alexander was credited with his first hold in Saturday's win over the Astros, firing a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander got the final two outs of the eighth, inheriting a one-on, one-out situation from Lucas Erceg and retiring the dangerous duo of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez on groundouts. The veteran southpaw allowed a solo home run over two-thirds of an inning in his delayed season debut against the Rockies on Tuesday, but he's subsequently fired 1.2 scoreless, hitless frames in his next pair of appearances.

Alexander (ribs) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander was placed on the 15-day injured list at the end of March with a left rib contusion. The left-hander fired a scoreless seventh inning with a strikeout in his most recent rehab appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas. As a result of Alexander's activation, Tyler Ferguson was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move Tuesday.

Alexander (ribs) fired a scoreless seventh inning in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over El Paso on Tuesday, recording a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander had failed to record an out while giving up five total runs in his most recent rehab outing Friday, so the scoreless frame Tuesday was a particularly welcome sight. Alexander might be ready to return from his long IL stint at any moment, and perhaps Tuesday's clean outing will qualify as the final box that needed checking before the Athletics deem him ready for activation.

Alexander (ribs) allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits, a walk and a hit batsman without recording an out during a relief appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas against Round Rock on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw had fired a scoreless frame with two strikeouts against San Jose in his second rehab outing Tuesday, but Friday's appearance saw Alexander fall apart in alarming fashion. Given the results, Alexander, who threw 22 pitches Friday, may be in line for at least one more rehab appearance in order to build some momentum before being activated.

Alexander (ribs) started Single-A Stockton's loss to Visalia on Friday, allowing an earned run on two hits over one inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander pitched to some contact, but he located 12 of his 16 pitches for strikes and came away from his first game action in nearly two months feeling good, per MLB.com. The veteran right-hander is due for another rehab appearance with the Ports on Tuesday against San Jose, and if he remains free of setbacks, his rehab assignment will move to Triple-A Las Vegas.