Koji

Uehara

Uehara returned to Japan last year to finish his career and had worked nine innings of relief this season for the Yomiuri Giants before deciding to hang it up for good. The 44-year-old pitcher spent time with four different major league teams from 2009-2017, posting an excellent 2.66 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 572/78 K/BB ratio in 480 2/3 frames. He won a World Series ring with the Red Sox in 2013 and was named an American League All-Star in 2014.

The struggles of Yoshinori Tateyama and Koji Uehara are part of the reason, but Ogando hasn’t looked nearly as sharp during the second half of the season. He is currently scheduled to make his next start Thursday against the Indians, but the Rangers have the option of using Scott Feldman in his place. Stay tuned.

The Rangers were reportedly closing in on a deal with the Athletics late last week, but nothing appears imminent. The 36-year-old right-hander has already turned down a trade to the Blue Jays. Uehara posted a 2.35 ERA and 85/9 K/BB ratio over 65 innings last season between Baltimore and Texas and is owed $4 million in 2012.

Though he pitched well his previous time out, Uehara has generally been awful this spring, posting a 16.88 ERA over five appearances. He should be fine, though it’s at least worth noting that he’s previously been very good in his other spring trainings.

We’re not sure why the Rangers seem so intent on dealing Uehara, who has been an elite setup man and is making a perfectly reasonable $4 million. But, obviously they’re not going to give him away cheaply or a deal probably would have been done by now. It’s the first we’ve heard of Lowe possibly being on the block. He’s an intriguing arm, as well, but has had injury and inconsistency issues and is slated for free agency after this season.

The Rangers entered spring training prepared to go all right-handed in their bullpen, but the emergence of left-hander Robbie Ross has made Koji Uehara and Mark Lowe expendable. Lowe is owed $1.7 million this season before hitting free agency while Uehara will make $4 million in the final year of his contract.

The Rangers have been actively shopping Uehara in an effort to shed the $4 million they owe on his 2012 salary. In addition to the Athletics, the Orioles have expressed some level of interest in bringing him back. The 36-year-old posted a 2.35 ERA and 85/9 K/BB ratio over 65 innings last season.

The Rangers are looking for prospects in return. It’s not clear who they are currently talking to, but Sullivan reported Wednesday that Uehara is still drawing “considerable” trade interest after rejecting a deal to the Blue Jays earlier this week. The Orioles, who traded Uehara to Texas last July, have shown interest in the past. Uehara, 36, posted a 2.35 ERA and 85/9 K/BB ratio over 65 innings of work last season.

The O’s bullpen is suddenly quite crowded, but evidently they’re not closing the door on making more additions. Uehara would love to come back to Baltimore, but the idea still sounds like a long shot. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 2.35 ERA and 85/9 K/BB ratio over 65 innings last season and is owed $4 million in 2012. The A’s have also shown interest this offseason.

Olney says the Rangers are asking for a “good return” for the reliever, which is not surprising after Uehara posted a 2.35 ERA and 85/9 K/BB ratio over 65 innings last season. He also reports that they’re still talking to the Orioles about Uehara, as well, though the O’s have less of a need now with their recent acquisition of Matt Lindstrom. Uehara is set to make $4 million in 2012.