How Detroit Tigers' Tyler Alexander fits into pitching plans in return from injury
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tyler Alexander, reinstated from the injured list, returned to his team's clubhouse at Comerica Park and will pitch as a reliever despite beginning the season as a starter.
He brought with him a signature look from last season, inspired by catcher Jake Rogers.
"When things go wrong, grow the mustache," Alexander said Tuesday.
Alexander began growing his facial hair in Lakeland, Florida, where he rehabbed to full health from a left elbow sprain that sidelined him May 2, retroactive to April 30, after four starts for the Tigers.
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The 27-year-old pitched in five games for Triple-A Toledo as part of his rehab assignment. He allowed eight runs on 12 hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in nine innings.
He gave up three runs in his final six innings.
"It's all based off how you feel," Alexander said. "You progress as quickly as you feel. I took a week off, took a dose pack. That helped. I felt good enough to keep going, and I just kept progressing, kept progressing and haven't felt anything in there since. I'm holding my breath that that doesn't change."
After Monday's 9-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox, the Tigers decided on a handful of roster moves, including the additions of Alexander and right-hander Drew Hutchison.
Hutchison, added to the 40-man roster, appeared in 10 games for the Tigers earlier this season before getting designated for assignment. He started Tuesday against the White Sox.
"We have our luxury of being able to do whatever we want with him," manager A.J. Hinch said of Alexander. "That's when he's at his best: an inning here, three innings there, maybe two innings in another place. ... I want to use him in his best role. Time will tell if it stays that way. We've had to make a lot of adjustments. It's good to have him back, mustache and all."
To make room for Alexander and Hutchison, the Tigers optioned outfielder Derek Hill to Toledo. Right-hander Jacob Barnes, who had a 6.10 ERA in 20⅔ innings, was designated for assignment.
Hill hit .229 with five walks and 28 strikeouts in 31 games. The Tigers want him to improve his contact, cover more pitches and boost his aggressiveness on the bases.
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"I hated delivering that news to him because everybody loves having Derek around," Hinch said. "He's the definition of a team player. He will do anything you ask. ... From a baseball standpoint, we want him to get more consistent offensively."
As for Alexander, he began his rehab as a starting pitcher.
He threw bullpens and completed a live batting practice in Lakeland before transitioning to Toledo. The Tigers wouldn't send him to Triple-A until he could consistently throw his changeup, the pitch he had trouble executing before landing on the injured list.
"That was the biggest concern," Alexander said.
With the Mud Hens, Alexander completed his first outing as a starter.
After that, the Tigers shifted him to the bullpen.
"I've always done that, right?" Alexander said. "I would say it's easier to go from being a starter to the bullpen because you're already built up. I was built up to three innings, and then they had me go two (innings) a bunch of times."
Although the Tigers are dealing with several injuries, rookies Alex Faedo and Beau Brieske have earned roles in the starting rotation for the foreseeable future as complements to Tarik Skubal, the team's best starter.
But Alexander could start Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park.
The Tigers expected left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (left ribcage sprain) to return to the rotation, possibly as soon as Tuesday against the White Sox, but he refused to join the team and is on the restricted list — thus forfeiting his salary — due a personal situation.
In four starts, Alexander had an 8.76 ERA with five walks and nine strikeouts across 12⅓ innings. He didn't feel healthy for all of his starts and changed his mechanics, especially when throwing his changeup, to ease the stress on his elbow.
Eventually, Alexander couldn't pitch through the pain.
Three Toledo coaches out
Three coaches for Triple-A Toledo — manager Lloyd McClendon, bench coach Tony Cappuccilli and pitching coach Doug Bochtler — did not travel with the Mud Hens to Worcester, Massachusetts, for the team's six-game series.
All three coaches are sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols, Tigers vice president of player development Ryan Garko said Tuesday.
Hitting coach Adam Melhuse is serving as the Mud Hens' manager. Pitching director Gabe Ribas made the trip to work as the pitching coach.
Jeimer Candelario joins Mud Hens
Third baseman Jeimer Candelario was placed on the injured list June 7, retroactive to June 6, with a left shoulder subluxation. He went through infield drills and hit batting practice ahead of Tuesday's game.
Before the game started, though, Candelario left Comerica Park and traveled to Worcester to join the Mud Hens. He will play Wednesday.
"He's going to go out and join the Triple-A team on the East Coast near Boston," Hinch said. "You guys can probably do some math and see how that's going to map out in the next four or five days before we get to Boston."
The 28-year-old is expected to be activated Monday, when the Tigers begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. He is hitting .181 with a team-high five home runs in 52 games.
Michael Pineda nearing rehab start
Right-hander Michael Pineda is scheduled to take the mound for a live batting practice at Comerica Park on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. If the session goes well, the Tigers plan to send him on a rehab assignment.
The 33-year-old hit the injured list May 15 with a right middle finger fracture.
"He threw a bullpen (Monday) and flipped some sliders," Hinch said.
Pineda has a 3.22 ERA with four walks and 12 strikeouts across 22⅓ innings in five starts this season. He is expected to make one or two rehab starts before joining the Tigers.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Detroit Tigers' Tyler Alexander fits into pitching plans
