The Los Angeles Dodgers were optimistic Scott Alexander made a full recovery from nerve decompression surgery in his left arm and would contribute in the 2020 season. The team avoided arbitration with Alexander by agreeing to a one-year contract last December.
He appeared in four Cactus League games before MLB was brought to a grinding halt by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Alexander’s health therefore became a factor because of his Type 1 diabetes.
However, the left-hander was assured by doctors he could participate in the 2020 regular season at no added risk. Alexander wound up contracting the virus, which delayed his arrival to Summer Camp.
“I had some mild symptoms but it wasn’t too bad,” he revealed in August. “I just had a fever for one night. It was a pretty good fever. I never knew the temperature, but it happened to me in the middle of the night when I was sleeping. The headache was really the main symptom, but it only lasted for 24 hours.
“I mainly slept it off and was feeling good the next day. The hardest part about it was I had to quarantine for two weeks and then had about a week to 10 days where I was having a hard time of clearing the test to get back to the stadium.
“The hardest part was not being able to throw or do any activities for those three weeks, and then show up to camp with only about a week to go. That was honestly the biggest ‘symptom,’ was kind of being behind with everything. As far as physically, I felt pretty good about 24 hours after I started feeling not so hot.”
Alexander added he never considered opting out of the season. He appeared in 13 games, going 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA. Alexander was optioned to the Dodgers’ alternate training site on Sept. 2 and never got recalled.
2020 highlight
In his third appearance of the season, Alexander struck out the side in a 3-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
2021 outlook
Alexander is eligible for salary arbitration a third and final time this offseason. He potentially could be a non-tender candidate, but the Dodgers presumably will see that process through.
Alexander could be a valuable bullpen option next season as the Dodgers will be without fellow southpaw reliever Caleb Ferguson as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
