Aside from one start in June, Alexi Ogando has been out of commission for the Texas Rangers a win over Oakland on May 15 with two separate stints on the disabled list separated by one start on June 5 against the Boston Red Sox — a no-decision in a Rangers win.
On Thursday night, Ogando went seven innings including 4 1/3 perfect innings to start the game for Triple-A Round Rock in a rehab start, which could be his final one before rejoining the Rangers' starting rotation on Tuesday against the New York Yankees, a day after Yu Darvish comes off the DL to start the series-opener against the Bronx Bombers.
Ogando, who's struggled with his efficiency and durability for the Rangers this year, routinely exiting before completing six innings, needed just 80 pitches to work seven innings on Thursday, albeit it against a Triple-A lineup.
Still, it was promising as the Rangers seem to be getting a bunch of their injured pieces back all at the same time and could have a starting pitcher join the team via trade soon, most notably the possibility of a Matt Garza deal that is seemingly close to being completed.
Ogando is sporting a 2.93 ERA with the Rangers this year in 55 1/3 innings and is 4-2 on the season, but with his durability issues this season the ideal solution for Ogando could be shifting him back to the bullpen where he's been highly effective before. But in order to do that, the Rangers need more depth in the rotation, which could include Garza and possibily another trade acquisition.
