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.

Alexander did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander entered at the start of the third inning and pitched all the way into the eighth, allowing just one run prior to a two-run homer by Corbin Carroll. He then allowed a single to Lourdes Gurriel that ended his outing one out short of six full frames. Despite the two late runs allowed, Alexander was still in line for the win until the Diamondbacks touched up closer Pete Fairbanks for three in the ninth to send the game into extras. The 5.2 innings represented Alexander's longest outing since tossing 7.1 innings on May 17.

Alexander will serve as the Rays' bulk reliever Sunday against Arizona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tampa Bay recalled Alexander from Triple-A on Saturday in the wake of Zack Littell's (shoulder) move to the 15-day injured list. While Alexander won't officially start Sunday's contest, he'll be the Rays' primary pitcher after opener Drew Rasmussen. Alexander has allowed two runs across his last four big-league appearances, racking up 15 strikeouts across 14.1 innings.

The Rays recalled Alexander from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

The move comes with Tampa Bay placing Zack Littell on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder fatigue. After he was scratched from his start with Durham on Friday, Alexander will most likely step into Littell's spot in the rotation against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, when the Rays will likely deploy the lefty as a starter or bulk reliever. Alexander owns a 5.20 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 71 innings with the big club this season.

The Rays will recall Alexander from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander had been scheduled to start for Durham on Friday, but he was scratched and is now headed back to the big leagues, where he'll presumably work as a long reliever. A corresponding move will be announced once the 30-year-old's promotion is official.

The Rays optioned Alexander to Tripel-A Durham on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty pitched well in bulk relief in Saturday's loss to the Orioles with one run allowed over 4.2 innings and has a 1.26 ERA in his past four appearances, but he'll head to the minors with Ryan Pepiot (knee) nearing a return from the 15-day injured list to fill an opening in the rotation. Cole Sulser was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move to bolster Tampa Bay's bullpen depth.

Alexander allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings Saturday versus the Orioles. He did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Alexander continues to operate in a bulk-relief role, and he's had success during his current stint in the majors. He's allowed two runs and posted a 15:3 K:BB over 14.1 innings over his last four appearances, and Saturday was the first time in that span he didn't come away with a win. Alexander has a 5.20 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 63:16 K:BB over 71 innings over 15 appearances (six starts) in the majors this year. If Ryan Pepiot (knee) returns to the majors next week, Alexander may be moved off the 26-man roster or feature as a traditional multi-inning reliever going forward.