Yoshinori

Tateyama

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.

This means at least one of Yoshinori Tateyama, Scott Feldman and Darren O’Day will make the roster. Hamburger and Kirkman are being sent to the instructional league to stay sharp, so they could return if the Rangers advance to the ALCS.

The Rangers used Treanor as their third catcher during the ALDS, but Yorvit Torrealba is now expected to serve as the primary backup to the hot-hitting Mike Napoli. Tateyama will join an eight-man bullpen after posting a 4.50 ERA over 44 innings during the regular season.

Tateyama hasn’t pitched since last Thursday due to the back issue, so it doesn’t come as a big surprise. The move clears the way for Robbie Ross to secure the final spot in the Rangers’ bullpen.

It’s not clear how long he’s been nursing the ailment. Tateyama holds a 6.30 ERA this spring but has struck out 12 over 10 innings.

Rangers manager Ron Washington said Tateyama is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment as soon as Friday. He could be back by the end of the month.

Tateyama threw his first bullpen Sunday, and could begin a rehab assignment this week. He remains on track for a late-April return.

Tateyama has been throwing off a mound with no issues and is ready to try things out in a game. He figures to rejoin the Rangers bullpen in late April.

Tateyama has been throwing off of a mound with no issues, and will begin his rehab assignment this weekend in Triple-A. He should be ready to return to the Rangers’ bullpen by the end of April.

An easy choice given the reasonable terms. Though he struggled a bit down the stretch, Tateyama pitched well in his first season stateside, posting a 4.50 ERA and 43/11 K/BB ratio over 44 innings. He’ll pitch out of the Rangers’ bullpen again in 2012.