SCOTTSDALE — Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander suffered a right oblique strain while working in the batting cages on Wednesday and will miss time leading up to the regular season.
Manager Torey Lovullo said Alexander will be out “weeks, not days” with a grade 1 strain, and he may run out of time before Opening Day to make his case to compete for a roster spot.
“It’s unfortunate, it’s an untimely injury,” Lovullo said. “I know he worked hard. I could see his game and the improvements he made, and he had a real opportunity to show us what he could do.
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“He will still get that opportunity when the time comes. He’s got to get healthy. Clearly, he will most likely run out of time to show us through the course of spring training, but that’s part of the game, and being adaptable, making adjustments is part of our culture.”
Alexander entered camp in a competition to win the bench, utility infield spot behind starting second baseman Ketel Marte, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and third baseman Eugenio Suarez.
The 25-year-old earned his first major league opportunity last season, making the Opening Day roster after a standout spring performance.
He finished his rookie year with 61 games played, a slash line of .247/.321/.343 and 10 extra-base hits. His defense at shortstop was inconsistent early on, which became an emphasis of his to improve. He’s athletic with a strong arm, and the Diamondbacks have tested his versatility.
“I’m working at third base, working at shortstop, second. There are talks about maybe a little outfield here. So definitely kind of embracing that super utility role and whatever the team needs,” Alexander told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Monday, before the injury. “Man, I just want to go out there. Want to be a big leaguer and help the Diamondbacks win.”
The Diamondbacks have brought in several external candidates to compete for that utility role, such as Garrett Hampson, Grae Kessinger and familiar face Ildemaro Vargas.
Shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar is expected to earn a role on the big league club at some point, although when exactly and in what capacity is uncertain at this point.
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