Although medical tests were negative, the status of Hawai'i ace Jared Alexander is "still up in the air."

Alexander had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on Saturday and visited his physician yesterday for evaluation. Hawai'i coach Mike Trapasso said the MRI showed no tear in the right-hander's elbow.

It doesn't mean Alexander is clear yet. Trapasso said Alexander will throw a bullpen session, possibly today, before a determination is made as to whether he will be able to pitch this weekend at New Mexico State.

"We won't know until he throws off the mound," Trapasso said. "The MRI was negative and he played catch (yesterday) pain-free. It's not uncommon to have a guy to go off the mound and it's still bothering him. We're going to stay cautious and really reserve any comment until we see him throw a bullpen, throw off that elevation (the mound) pain-free."

Trapasso said Alexander will make the trip regardless if he is able to pitch.

Alexander pitched five-plus innings Friday in an 8-3 win against Sacramento State. After allowing two singles and a first pitch that was fouled off by Ryan Flores, Alexander signaled to the bench that he was feeling discomfort. He was replaced by Cory Kahn.

Alexander is 7-3 with a 3.27 earned run average. The wins and ERA are second in the WAC to Fresno State's Tanner Scheppers (8-2, 2.93). Alexander averages nearly seven innings per start and is a ground-ball pitcher, averaging about 10 grounders for outs per start.

Alexander would be an asset at New Mexico State, which plays in a ballpark that favors home run hitters. The Aggies average nearly nine runs per game, the best among WAC teams.

The good news is Alex Bates, who missed a start in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader because of tenderness in his arm, will be available to pitch this week. Trapasso said Bates' arm started hurting after his start at Louisiana Tech two weekends ago. He was held out this past week as a precaution, especially with the status of Alexander.

Trapasso said starting Bates in Thursday's opener is an option because the right-hander is well-rested. Nick Rhodes has become the regular No. 2 starter. Matt Daly has been able to start the last three series. Because he doubles as a reliever, his starting assignments are determined by whether he is available later in the series.

Bates had already missed the first half of the season because of tendinitis. In fall workouts, he was projected as a potential Friday starter, a role in which Alexander has found success.

This road trip is the last WAC series for the Rainbows (16-12 WAC), who are a half-game back of second-place Nevada (15-9) and two games behind first-place Fresno State (16-8).

The Rainbows won 3 of 4 when the Aggies (11-13) visited here last month.

Also, another WAC win assures UH will have a winning conference record. Hawai'i must win five of its last seven to assure an overall winning record for the sixth consecutive season.

The Rainbows return home Sunday in time for final exams. They will host a three-game non-conference series against Utah Valley State (14-31-1), a Division I independent, on May 15 to 17. It will be the final games for Utah Valley coach Steve Gardner, who announced his retirement before the season after 18 seasons.

NO-HOST TOURNEY

It's probably the worst nightmare of an athletic administration.

Louisiana Tech has failed to qualify for the six-team WAC tournament that it is scheduled to host May 22 to 25.

The seventh-place Bulldogs were mathematically eliminated from postseason over the weekend after losing 3 of 4 to Nevada, and with New Mexico State splitting its series with Fresno State.

Essentially, the tournament is being held on a neutral site, pretty much giving none of the six teams any sort of advantage.

"I think you would always prefer playing at a neutral site in any tournament," Trapasso said. "But it's going to be bittersweet because I really feel for Wade (Simoneaux, Louisiana Tech's coach). All the work he does, he's a good man and they put a lot of work into that place, so they'll do a good job with that tournament."

The only WAC teams that didn't post winning records at Louisiana Tech this season were Hawai'i and San Jose State. Both split series.

Despite coaches voting for a seven-team tournament, the league overturned the vote and went with the six-team format. None of the six qualifying schools is within driving distance of Louisiana Tech, the farthest east school in the conference.

Hawai'i is scheduled to host the WAC tournament next year. Of course, it is the farthest west among WAC schools.