The Tigers have announced that they’ve selected the contract of lefty Tyler Alexander. To open roster space, the club designated fellow southpaw Jose Fernandez for assignment.
Alexander was formally optioned down to Triple-A while also being brought onto the active roster as the 26th man for the team’s doubleheader. He’s scheduled to take the ball this evening for his first MLB start.
Though he only carries a 6.23 ERA in 73 2/3 frames at the highest level of the minors, Alexander carries an appealing combination of 10.6 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9. Like many of his fellow International League hurlers, he has been stung by the long ball, allowing 17 already to this point.
As for the 26-year-old Fernandez, he just hasn’t panned out as hoped when he was claimed from the Blue Jays over the offseason. Fernandez was tagged in brief MLB action and has underwhelmed at Triple-A. In his 27 2/3 innings at Toledo, he carries a 3.90 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9.
