Texas Rangers Add Dave Bush to Bullpen; Alexi Ogando Stretched Out Again

Sunday, the Texas Rangers made another Opening Day roster decision concerning their pitching staff except this time in was in the bullpen rather than starting rotation. The Rangers added Dave Bush to the bullpen as a long reliever.

One reason the 31-year-old was trying to get a job this spring was because he was united with pitching coach Mike Maddux in Texas after spending 2006 and 2007 with him in Milwaukee. The history of these two worked in the veteran’s favor to make the Major League team.

Bush is expected to be on the Major League roster by Wednesday night according to SB Nation.

With Bush being added to the bullpen, he is no longer in the mix for being named the fifth starter in Tommy Hunter’s absence. In my opinion, Alexi Ogando is the most likely to fill in until he returns to the starting rotation and the Rangers have made the decision to stretch him out yet again. Ogando is now scheduled to start the Cactus League exhibition game on Tuesday when the Rangers travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to meet Coastal Carolina.

If Ogando moves to starter then that will leave two open spots in the bullpen with Mason Tobin, Mark Lowe, Pedro Strop and Brett Tomko vying for their spot on the Opening Day roster.

No decision has been made at this time regarding Hunter’s replacement, but with just a few days left before April 1, the decision must be coming soon. We’ll keep you posted as always!