The Texas Rangers declined to offer contracts Tuesday night to two of their arbitration-eligible players, injury-plagued right-hander Alexi Ogando and utility infielder Adam Rosales.
Ogando missed the final four months last season with right elbow inflammation. Despite good reports about his health since the end of the season, Ogando decided against pitching in winter ball.
"There was just too much uncertainty, and we didn't want go to through the process with that out there," general manager Jon Daniels said Tuesday night. "It would have helped to have seen him in games. I fully expect he's going to go camp without any limitations. We saw off-the-mound live BP, he was healthy, ready to go."
Daniels didn't rule out a return for Ogando, who made $2,625,000 this year and wanted to experience free agency if Texas didn't allow him to be eligible for arbitration.
Rosales was offered a raise over this year, when he had a $750,000 salary and earned a $25,000 performance bonus, but he chose to test the market rather than agree to a deal. Daniels said the Rangers will stay in touch with his agent.
Closer Neftali Feliz and first baseman/designated hitter Mitch Moreland, both arbitration-eligible, were offered contracts before Tuesday night's deadline.
Moreland had reconstructive surgery on his left ankle in June. The Rangers said Tuesday that Moreland had a follow-up MRI and examination and has been cleared for a running program. That will progress to full activity and he is expected to be ready for spring training.
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The Rangers are also close to finishing an agreement to bring back right-hander Colby Lewis, who became a free agent after pitching a team-high 170 1-3 innings last season. Daniels said he expects a deal to be finalized this week.
Lewis finished strong last season after his comeback from missing 20 months with forearm and hip surgeries. While the 35-year-old pitcher was 10-14 with a 5.18 ERA overall, Lewis had a 3.86 ERA and averaged 6 2-3 innings in his last 13 starts.
Texas declined to offer a contract to left-hander Michael Kirkman.
