The Diamondbacks got some tough injury news regarding infielder Blaze Alexander. Manager Torey Lovullo told reporters, including Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports, that Alexander suffered a Grade 1 right oblique strain.
Blaze Alexander has a right oblique strain and will be out weeks, not days, per Torey Lovullo.
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) February 28, 2025
What Blaze Alexander's injury means for the Diamondbacks
The injury comes at the worst time for Alexander, whose spring is effectively over. A grade one oblique strain has the typical recovery time of 27 days for hitters according to MLB. He was in the mix for the backup shortstop battle, a job he won last spring, but being out four weeks will likely have him starting 2025 with Triple-A Reno. It also means there is one less obstacle for Ildemaro Vargas, who is batting .455 this spring, to take the role.
It's been an unfortunate string of setbacks for Alexander, who has yet to put it all together since being added to the 40-man roster following the 2022 season. He suffered a broken thumb in April 2023 that kept him out of action for two months.
The following spring he made the team and got off to a hot start, hitting .340 with three home runs and a 1.000 OPS in his first 16 games, but as the league started making adjustments his numbers quickly declined. He finished 2024 hitting .247 with those three home runs and a .664 OPS.
In addition to the declining results at the plate, the glovework was also an issue at shortstop. Last year he was graded at -4 Defensive Runs Saved and -5 Outs Above Average. The combination of the two led to a demotion to Reno in July. He only played three more games at the major league level for the rest of the season.
With him likely ticketed for Reno, 2025 figures to be his final option season. While on the 40-man roster with 61 games of experience, he is useful injury depth at second, third, or short. He'll have to work on his glove and selectivity at the plate in Reno while he awaits another opportunity to contribute in the big leagues.