Alexander will start for the Tigers in their first Grapefruit League game Sunday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander is one of a handful of pitchers competing for a spot in the back of Detroit's rotation. The lefty made headlines last year when he set a MLB record with nine consecutive strikeouts in a game, and he finished the year with a solid 3.96 ERA across 14 games (two starts). The Tigers may continue to use him in more of a swing role, but Alexander is capable of decent numbers if he gets an extended look in the rotation.

Alexander (2-2) allowed a run on three hits across two innings to take the loss Friday against Cleveland. He walked two and struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander followed starter Michael Fulmer, who tossed three scoreless frames, and the former allowed the game's first run in his second inning of work. That was enough to saddle Alexander with the loss as Cleveland prevailed 1-0. The lefty now has a 4.01 ERA and will continue to work as a long reliever out of the Detroit bullpen, though he's capable of making a spot start if needed.

Alexander worked behind starter Jordan Zimmermann in the Tigers' 6-3 win over the Cardinals in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader. He tossed 1.2 innings and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander's previous appearance Sept. 4 had come in a starting role, but he shifted back to the bullpen with Zimmermann's return from a forearm injury providing Detroit with another healthy rotation arm. However, since Zimmermann had been sidelined all season before being activated Thursday, he was pulled after three innings (42 pitches), which allowed Alexander to piggyback him. Detroit should have a fairly normal schedule for the rest of the season with no more doubleheaders currently on tap, so Alexander could have fewer opportunities to work multiple innings.

Alexander allowed one run on seven hits over four innings in a no-decision against the Twins in the second game of Friday's doubleheader. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty did his best to quiet the Twins' offense, though he was limited to 59 pitches in the spot start and would not have earned the win even if the Tigers' bullpen hadn't squandered a late lead. Alexander made history earlier this season, tying the AL record for the most consecutive outs via strikeout by a reliever (nine), but his overall numbers are just OK and the swingman/long-relief role works against him in a big way from a fantasy standpoint.

Alexander will start Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the Twins, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old moved back to the bullpen in mid-August after a brief stint in the rotation, but he'll return to the mound for a spot start in Friday's doubleheader. Alexander has covered three-plus innings during each of his last three outings and averaged about 60 pitches, so he should be able to provide some decent length for the Tigers, though he may have trouble qualifying for a potential victory.

Alexander will pitch out of the bullpen going forward but could be called upon to pitch in a multi-inning role following the debuts of Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize on Tuesday and Wednesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander has recorded anywhere between one and 11 outs in his six appearances thus far this season, with only one outing coming as a start. The arrivals of Skubal and Mize push him further down the rotation depth chart, though neither pitcher is ready for a true starter's workload just yet, so Alexander's ability to provide length remains valuable.

Alexander will be the Tigers' primary pitcher Sunday, following opener Michael Fulmer, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

In a flurry of moves following Ivan Nova's (triceps) trip to the injured list Saturday, Alexander will be the Tigers' primary pitcher following a few innings of work by Fulmer. Alexander was originally scheduled to start Monday, so now the Tigers have some decisions to make as to who they would like to take the mound Monday and Tuesday against the White Sox. A lot of people are speculating top pitching prospect Casey Mize will be called up, although nothing has been made official yet.

Alexander (1-1) allowed five earned runs across 3.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday against the White Sox. He gave up four hits and three walks, while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander struck out 10 batters, including an American League record nine in a row, in a relief appearance that spanned 3.2 innings back on Aug. 2, but the lefty was unable to recapture that magic in his first start of 2020. He was tagged for two home runs and saw his ERA rise from 1.17 to 4.76. Alexander will likely stick in the rotation for now, but the recently demoted Daniel Norris looms as an option to claim a spot at some point, as does top prospect Casey Mize.

Alexander will be a member of the Tigers' rotation going forward, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander certainly earned the opportunity after striking out nine batters in a row (and 10 batters total) in a relief appearance Sunday. Eight of his MLB appearances thus far in his career have come as a starter, with nine coming in relief. He's allowed a .356 wOBA as a starter compared to a .287 mark out of the bullpen, though the gap between his 4.54 ERA as a starter and his 4.12 ERA as a reliever isn't particularly large.

Alexander struck out 10 over 3.2 no-hit innings of long relief Sunday in the Tigers' 4-3 loss to the Reds in the first game of a doubleheader. He didn't factor into the decision in the seven-inning contest and allowed two baserunners, one via a walk and the other via a hit by pitch.

EDGE Analysis

After opening pitcher Rony Garcia covered the first two innings, Alexander took over and proceeded to turn in one of the most dominant performances by a relief pitcher in MLB history. He tied an American League record by recording nine consecutive outs via strikeouts, and his 10 punchouts were the most by a reliever since Randy Johnson whiffed 16 as a member of the Diamondbacks in July 2001. Heading into the weekend, Alexander had been hopeful to get a look in the Detroit rotation, and he may finally get his wish after this dazzling outing.