Alexi

Ogando

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.

No surprise there. Washington didn’t confirm it, but Wilson will likely be followed by Colby Lewis, Derek Holland and Matt Harrison, in that order. Alexi Ogando will be moved to the bullpen following Saturday’s start.

He struck out two, walked none and threw 19 out of 28 pitches for strikes in the abbreviated outing. His early exit was planned, as the Rangers are expected to use him in relief during the playoffs. Ogando has a 3.54 ERA and 125/43 K/BB ratio over 168 innings this season.

Ogando posted a stellar 3.51 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 126/43 K/BB ratio in 169 innings (29 starts) this season, but he was a reliever one year ago and doesn’t have the built-up endurance to carry on into the postseason rotation. He should do fine in a setup role.

Ogando’s availability Monday would certainly be a nice silver-lining for the Rangers after Game 2 was postponed by a day. Ogando, who was a starter during the regular season, struck out three over two shutout innings in Game 1’s 3-2 victory over the Tigers Saturday, logging 32 pitches. The youngster who posted a stellar 3.51 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 126/43 K/BB ratio in 169 innings (29 starts) this season also tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief against the Rays during the ALDS. He has been an excellent addition to an already stellar bullpen.

Ogando allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning of work for his first major league save. Joe Nathan was given his second straight day off, but Rangers manager Ron Washington said after the game that his closer job is not in jeopardy.

Mike Adams closed out Thursday’s game and Alexi Ogando got the call on Friday, but Washington insists that Nathan is just getting extra rest after throwing 27 pitches as part of a blown save on Wednesday. “He had a big workload the last time out there, and we decided to give him one more,” said Washington. “He’ll be back in there tomorrow.”

Ogando figures to be the Rangers’ fifth starter if Neftali Feliz opens the season on the disabled list. Otherwise, it’s back to the bullpen with him. He’ll still be worth using in AL-only leagues as a setup man, but he’ll only be an option in shallow mixed leagues if he’s starting games.

Ogando seems likely to be in the Rangers’ bullpen on Opening Day, but there’s no harm in stretching him out during spring training in case a hole needs to be filled because of a injury. The 28-year-old right-hander posted a cool 3.51 ERA and 126/43 K/BB ratio in 169 innings (29 starts) last season. He’ll make a fine long reliever or setup man.

Ogando suffered the injury while making a spot start Sunday against the Giants. He underwent an MRI on Monday, but the severity of the injury isn’t yet known. Michael Kirkman has been called up from the minors in a corresponding roster move. The Rangers have yet to decide on a starting pitcher for Saturday.