KC Royals Recall Scott Alexander, Chien-Ming Wang To DL

The KC Royals recalled lefty reliever Scott Alexander from AAA Omaha to replace Chien-Ming Wang. Wang went to the 15-day disabled list after pitching two scoreless innings in KC’s 5-4 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday.

Fox Sports writer Cash Kruth reported the news Wednesday afternoon.

Apparently, Wang injured himself on Tuesday night. That’s even more bad news from Tuesday’s 10-inning defeat to the New York Yankees. Kansas City Royals centerfielder Lorenzo Cain also admitted after the game that he’s been playing through a wrist injury the last two weeks.

While 36-year-old Chien-Ming Wang has hardly been dominant with a 4.22 ERA in  53.1 innings for the KC Royals in 2016, he has been a useful bullpen innings eater. Royals manager Ned Yost typically deployed Wang when KC was trailing. As a result, Wang has compiled a perfect 6-0 record. He’s been good enough to help the Kansas City Royals steal a couple of late wins in 2016.

That’s not bad for a guy that hadn’t played in major-league baseball since 2013. Wang made the KC Royals roster coming out of spring training after spending 2014-15 in the minor-leagues.

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Scott Alexander

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Scott Alexander brings another lefty arm to the Kansas City bullpen. He’s pitched for the Royals before, appearing in 6.0 innings in 2015 with a 4.50 ERA, and in 13.0 innings earlier this season for a 4.85 ERA.

Alexander has been toiling away in AAA Omaha hoping for a chance with the big club posting a solid 3.00 ERA in 30.0 innings pitched with a 7.2 K/9. He’s hardly an overpowering guy with a fastball that averages in the 91-92 mph range, and a slider. His bread and butter pitch is the sinker, which he uses to keep the ball on the ground.

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I expected Alexander to get the call from AAA when rosters expand to 40 on September 2 simply to add another lefty option to the pen. With Wang’s injury, he’s getting that promotion a few days early.