Nats claim Alexy from Texas, drop Fox from roster

The Nationals claimed right-hander A.J. Alexy off waivers from the Rangers, dropping infielder Lucius Fox from their 40-man roster in the process.

Alexy, 24, was designated for assignment last week by the Rangers. He pitched in nine big league games for them (four of those starts) over the last two seasons, producing a 6.30 ERA and 1.633 WHIP.

Alexy spent the majority of this season starting for Texas' Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock, where he struggled to a 5.91 ERA and 1.708 WHIP. His biggest problem areas: walks (5.3 per nine innings) and home runs (25 allowed in 96 innings).

Originally an 11th round pick of the Dodgers in 2016, Alexy was one of three players dealt to the Rangers in 2017 for ace Yu Darvish. His best season came in 2021, when he finished with a 1.66 ERA and 1.015 WHIP in 65 combined innings at Round Rock and Double-A Frisco.

Alexy doesn't figure to be a serious contender for a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day rotation, but they continue to seek pitching help for Triple-A Rochester. The right-hander still has an option year remaining, so he could be sent up and down up to five times during the 2023 season if the Nats so wanted.

Fox's time with the organization could be done after he was designated for assignment today. The 25-year-old infielder was a surprise member of the Nationals' Opening Day roster this year after utilityman Ehire Adrianza was injured in the final week of spring training.

Fox struggled in his brief time in the majors, though, going just 2-for-25 with two RBIs, one stolen base, one walk and nine strikeouts. He unfortunately will be best remembered for becoming ill in the top of the first of the Nats' April 24 game against the Giants, vomiting near the pitcher's mound before he could depart the field.

The Nationals optioned Fox to Rochester a week later and did not call him back up the rest of the season. He wound up hitting .228/.306/.340 with four homers, 25 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 55 games for the Red Wings.