WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Orioles are receiving support in the form of a key player returning from the injured list.

Utilityman Blaze Alexander has recovered from a broken hand and was activated Friday, the team announced. The Orioles are beginning a three-game series against the Athletics as part of their three-city road trip. It began with a series win in St. Louis; Baltimore wraps it up next week against the Colorado Rockies.

Alexander broke his hand in July when he was hit by a pitch. His stint on the sideline came amid one of the hottest stretches of his career. Alexander is hitting .312 with an .807 on-base-plus-slugging percentage this season.

The 27-year-old will likely see time in the outfield as well as his more natural infield positions down the stretch. With outfielder Tyler O’Neill on the injured list with a rotator cuff strain, Baltimore can make use of Alexander’s right-handed bat against left-handed pitching.

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Alexander played two rehab games this week with Triple-A Norfolk. In the first, he started at third base and made an acrobatic play to tag out a runner.

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In the second, he started in center field. He notched two hits, including a double, and drove in a run.

To make room for Alexander, the Orioles optioned infielder Luis Vázquez to the minors. For the time being, however, Vázquez will remain with the club on the taxi squad.