Alexander (6-5) took the loss against the Guardians on Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander relieved Drew Rasmussen to open the third inning and was mainly burned by a three-run sixth frame. The 30-year-old didn't allow a homer for the first time since Aug. 4, but he has yielded three earned runs or more in four of his past five outings. On the season, he owns a 5.58 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 78:23 K:BB across 98.1 innings as both a starter and bulk reliever.

Alexander is expected to work in bulk relief behind opener Drew Rasmussen on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Many of Alexander's appearances have come as a bulk reliever this season, though it hasn't necessarily benefited his performance, as he owns a career-worst 5.50 ERA through 93.1 innings. He turned in a solid outing during his last appearance against the Phillies (one earned run over 4.1 IP), but he's too inconsistent to be considered a reliable streaming option.

Alexander is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Cole Sulser in Monday's game against the Phillies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander is taking over the rotation spot vacated by lefty Jeffrey Springs (elbow), who landed on the injured list Sunday. Over his 19 appearances (seven starts) with Tampa Bay this season, Alexander sports a 6-4 record with a 5.66 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 75:21 K:BB across 89 innings. He's been especially vulnerable to the long ball, giving up a career-high 22 home runs.

The Rays recalled Alexander from Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander was optioned to Durham on Thursday but will quickly return to the big leagues with Jeffrey Springs (elbow) headed to the injured list. Alexander has a 5.66 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 19 appearances (seven starts) for the Rays this season, and he could work as a starter or bulk reliever down the stretch in place of Springs.

The Rays optioned Alexander to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander allowed four runs over 3.2 innings in bulk relief Wednesday, picking up a win over the Twins. He wasn't going to be available to pitch for a few days, so the Rays will replace him with a fresh arm.

Alexander (6-4) picked up the win Wednesday, coughing up four runs on nine hits over 3.2 innings in a 9-4 victory over the Twins. He struck out two without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw entered a scoreless game in the top of the fourth inning and watched the Tampa Bay offense erupt for eight runs in the bottom of the frame, but Alexander fell apart himself in the seventh, serving up homers to Kyle Farmer and Carlos Santana. Alexander is rounding out a six-man rotation for the Rays, as the team doesn't get its next day off until Sept. 16, but he's been very ineffective in that role -- over his last four appearances, he's been tagged for seven homers in 18 innings, leading to a 7.50 ERA. Assuming he gets another turn, his next outing is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Philadelphia.

Alexander is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Cole Sulser in Wednesday's game against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even with Zack Littell returning from the injured list to start Monday's series opener versus Minnesota, the Rays will at least temporarily expand the rotation to six men to include Alexander. Since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on Aug. 17, Alexander has made three appearances, tossing 14.1 innings and striking out 10 while allowing 11 earned runs on 15 hits and five walks.

Alexander (5-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Rays were downed 6-2 by the Mariners, coughing up five runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 4.1 innings of relief. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw was the third pitcher into the game for Tampa Bay, taking the mound with two outs in the fourth inning of a 1-1 tie, but Alexander quickly fell apart and served up homers to Victor Robles, Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena in the fifth frame. Alexander has been taken deep six times in his last four outings and 19 innings, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 5.68 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB. It's not clear when Zack Littell (shoulder) will be ready to rejoin the rotation, but if Alexander gets another turn as a starter or bulk reliever, he would line up for an appearance at home early next week against the Twins.

The Rays plan to use Alexander as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Drew Rasmussen in Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Topkin notes that with an off day on tap Thursday, the Rays could treat Wednesday's game as a full bullpen day, which would likely suppress Alexander's innings count. Alexander should at least be expected to pitch in some capacity once Rasmussen exits the contest, likely after pitching the first two innings. Alexander made his seventh start of the season in his last appearance Friday against the Dodgers, but the Rays have more frequently deployed him as a bulk reliever during his recent outings with the big club.

Alexander allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander was steady early on, but he ran into trouble in the fifth inning. He exited the game after yielding a three-run home run to Enrique Hernandez. Alexander had served as a bulk reliever in his previous six outings over three different stints in the majors. He's now at a 5.22 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 69:20 K:BB over 81 innings across 17 appearances (seven starts) this year. The southpaw is lined up to make his next appearance at Seattle, but it hasn't been revealed if he'll start or work behind an opener if he gets another turn through the rotation.