OAKLAND – Veteran left-hander Scott Alexander wasn’t sure what to expect this past offseason when he became an unrestricted free agent after two seasons with the San Francisco Giants.
Everything worked out well from Alexander’s perspective. A Santa Rosa native, Alexander was able to stay close to home as he signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the A’s in February.
Tuesday, after spending the last two months dealing with a stress reaction in left rib, Alexander was finally added to Oakland’s 26-man roster as the A’s optioned right-handed pitcher Tyler Ferguson to Triple-A Las Vegas.
“I kind of knew that I was going to sign probably later in February, just based off the left-handed relief market, I guess,” said Alexander, who was expecting his parents to attend Tuesday’s game against the Rockies at the Coliseum. “Now just happy to be with Oakland, happy that I got to stay in the Bay Area.”
With the Giants last season, the sinker-balling Alexander went 7-3 with a save and a 4.66 ERA in 55 games. He was used eight times as an opener, but it doesn’t appear the A’s have that role in mind for him.
When Alexander signed, the A’s hoped he could be their top left-handed option out of the bullpen. He could still fill that role, although the A’s also have T.J. McFarland and Kyle Muller, with Sean Newcomb still working his way back from a left knee injury.
Alexander was sent to Single-A Stockton on a rehab assignment on May 3.He pitched in two games with the Ports and four with Triple-A Las Vegas and compiled a 9.64 ERA in six outings, with eight strikeouts and one walk in 4.2 innings
“We’ll see how Scott’s doing,” Kotsay said. “He obviously feels good. We talked (Monday), and he feels ready to join this club and help contribute.”
Alexander, a Sonoma State alum, said he was a fan of both the A’s and Giants as a kid, adding that he enjoyed watching Oakland’s “Big Three” of Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, and Mark Mulder. He’s now excited to be a part of an A’s bullpen that features Mason Miller and Lucas Erceg.
“I think the bullpen is definitely one of the strengths of the team,” Alexander said. “You look at Mason and what he’s been able to do. He might be having the best season any reliever ever has. Obviously, Lucas and some of the other guys have really performed really, really well.
“I’m not sure how (the A’s are) going use me, but I know in the past I’ve pitched anywhere from the first to the ninth inning and a lot of times in the sixth, seventh, and eighth. I would assume somewhere around there, and I’m not sure exactly how (Kotsay will use me) early on, but that’s the role I hope to have this year, is to be late inning lefty that they can rely on.”
TRADING PLACES: The A’s switched up their starting pitchers for the remainder of the Rockies series. Mitch Spence will switch Wednesday against Colorado lefty Austin Gomber, and Joey Estes will start Thursday’s game against fellow righty Ryan Feltner. Estes was originally going to pitch Wednesday.
Spence was impressive in his start against the Royals last Friday when he struck out four and allowed just one walk and one earned run in 4 2/3 innings. Estes, meanwhile, was roughed up the day before, giving up eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings in what became an 8-1 A’s loss to Houston.
Kotsay said the team is still open to stretching out right-hander Brandon Bielak into a starter. Bielak threw 42 pitchesover 2 2/3 innings in his first outing for the A’s last Friday. Spence threw 75 pitches last week and could be asked to do more on Wednesday.
Certainly, Bielak would like a chance to return to a big-league rotation. He started 13 games for the Astros last season and had a 3.83 ERA in 80 innings, which included two relief appearances. In four-plus MLB seasons, he’s started 21 games.
“That’s kind of my overall goal, to be a starter in the big leagues,” Bielak said. “Had a good year, so hoping to do the same thing this year and be able to go as deep as possible.”
ANDUJAR UPDATE: Outfielder Miguel Andujar will remain at Triple-A Las Vegas for the time being to get more at-bats as he returns fromsurgery in March to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. In his first three games for the Aviators, Andujar went 5-for-10 with three doubles and one run scored.
Andujar will be in the Aviators’ lineup Wednesday after their scheduled game on Tuesday in Tacoma was rained out.
“He feels good about getting a few more at-bats before we make the decision to bring him back,” Kotsay said. “He likes where he’s at but wants to feel better with his timing.”
Once Andujar returns, third base is a possibility, but he’ll likely play in the outfield and be an option at DH, Kotsay said.
MEDINA UPDATE: Right-hander Luis Medina (MCL sprain), eligible to come off the 60-day IL on May 27, will start Wednesday’s game for Las Vegas. Kotsay said Medina will be evaluated after that start, which will be his second of the season after he threw May 15 in the Arizona Complex League.
BOYLE UPDATE: Right-hander Joe Boyle (lower back strain) was eligible to come off the injured list Tuesday but will remain in Triple-A for at least one more outing, which could come later this week. Kotsay said Boyle will probably throw three innings at most, or 45 pitches.
