As we discussed on Monday, Alexi Ogando is best-suited to be a reliever with the Texas Rangers, and it seems most people are in agreement with that opinion.
With Martin Perez and Yu Darvish each making two starts this week as the Rangers have two big series and an off-day on Thursday, the team will be able to skip the fifth spot in the rotation this week, but when it comes up again on Tuesday in Tampa Bay, there's still some question as to who will get the nod.
There's Travis Blackley and Nick Tepesch, who made his return from a two-month stint on the DL over the weekend in Anaheim and started Sunday's game, which the Rangers won.
Then, there's Ogando, and apparently, the reliever-turned starter-turned reliever-turned starter-turned reliever is back in the fold to get the nod for the start against the Rays, which makes, well, no sense.
"Ogando has always been a candidate," Rangers manager Ron Washington told reporters. "We're trying to get him to face hitters. We'll make that decision as he moves deeper. Right now, he's going to be sitting in the bullpen."
Ogando picked up the win on Sunday — the game Tepesch started and lasted 3 1/3 innings — throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory. He's now thrown 2 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing one hit in his two appearances since coming off his third stint on the disabled list.
At this point, it seems foolish to give Ogando a start in a spot that will only be needed for a couple of more outings when you have guys like Blackley and Tepesch who can go out and get the job done. But time will tell what Washington and pitching coach Mike Maddux decide.
