Ogando Struggles Again, Still Slotted To Start

Alexi Ogando has proven time and time again that he shouldn't be a starting pitcher. He's had his runs of success as a starter, but he continues to prove he'd be better served as a late-inning bullpen arm.

On Tuesday night, Ogando struggled once again in a split-squad game against the Chicago Cubs. He needed 78 pitches to get through three innings and allowed back-to-back homers from super prospect Javier Baez and former Texas Rangers prospect Mike Olt.

So far this spring, Ogando has now recorded a grand total of 34 outs and he's allowed 25 baserunners. That is not a good ratio, and it doesn't take a sabremetrician to figure that out. He know has a 6.35 ERA in four starts this spring.

The only problem here for the Rangers is that they might not have other options while looking to fill out their starting rotation, at least early on this season. Unless the Rangers move Tanner Scheppers or Robbie Ross out of the bullpen in place of Ogando, he basically has to at least start the season in the rotation until Matt Harrison is ready, which the Rangers hope is mid-April.

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