Alexi Ogando has had a rough go of things lately.
After he got off to an awful start in the Texas Rangers' bullpen in 2014, he was shut down with elbow inflammation and ended up not pitching again, finishing his year after just 27 games, which were largely unsuccessful.
The plan all along has been for the right-handed reliever, who has dabbled as a starter throughout his career, to pitch in the Dominican Republic in winter ball to help him prepare for spring training since he hasn't pitched since June.
Ogando was set to make his Dominican debut on Friday, but then the plans suddenly changed as Ogando decided he would not pitch winter ball after reporting some soreness. The pain wasn't considered serious, but even still he will not pitch this winter.
This is interesting because the Rangers will need to pay Ogando roughly $3.5 million in arbitration to avoid a hearing if they want him in 2015, and with the large number of guys vying for bullpen spots next season and Ogando's ineffectiveness, it might make sense to let him walk away. However, general manager Jon Daniels has gone on record saying the Rangers plan to make offers to both Ogando and Mitch Moreland to avoid arbitration.
