Alexi Ogando hasn't turned in an eye-popping start yet this season for the Texas Rangers, yet a glance at his numbers show he's been a pretty darn effective starting pitcher.
His biggest problem, other than not working deep into games, has been his health and he's currently on the disabled list for the second time this season — making just one start in between DL stints.
His shoulder is cooperating so far in his rehab and he should start throwing some live batting practice soon, as right now he's just relegated to throwing bullpens, but Rangers manager Ron Washington said he will most likely return after the all-star break in a couple of weeks.
Ogando is 4-2 on the season with a 2.93 ERA in 10 starts this year, but as mentioned previously, he's had trouble working deep into games and has only made it out of the sixth five times and out of the seventh just once.
Martin Perez took Ogando's place in the rotation instead of veteran Josh Lindblom, and if Perez can duplicate his previous start on Friday against Cincinnati, it'd be hard to imagine him being sent back down at all this year. If Ogando returns to the rotation, that would mean he'd replace either Justin Grimm or Nick Tepesch.
There's been some suggestion that Ogando should return to the bullpen to give them another trusted arm to go with the foursome that's being worked to the bone right now. But Washington and the front office insists they want Ogando in the rotation.
"Like to have Ogando back," Washington said. "When Ogando is ready to go, somebody has to go. It's just that simple. Or, maybe someone goes into the bullpen."
