(Image via lonestarball.com)

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When Neftali Feliz went on the disabled list in mid-May, the Rangers figured they would be okay with Scott Feldman and Alexi Ogando as their 6th and 7th starters if need be. Then Derek Holland caught some weird virus/ fatigue thing a couple of weeks ago, and the team had to dip into their bullpen again and insert Ogando into his slot.

Then in his first start in San Francisco, Ogando trying to beat out a bunt [pitchers shouldn't hit in my opinion, among others who think this are Keith Law and Joe Sheehan] strained his groin and is out 4-6 weeks.

Since then they have also fished Justin Grimm up from AA Frisco, who made his MLB debut with six strong innings and a win last Saturday against the Astros, earning him a second start Monday against Detroit while Feldman goes back to the pen until Holland is ready.

Thankfully before Holland and Ogando got hurt, the team signed Roy Oswalt on May 29th to take Feliz’s spot in the rotation.  After a few minor league starts, the Texas Rangers will start calling on the cavalry Friday night when Oswalt makes his first start for his new club against an old opponent.

Oswalt, a three-time All-Star who will be elevated from Triple-A Round Rock, will face the Colorado Rockies to start a weekend interleague series in Arlington.

Colorado is one of Oswalt’s favorite foes. He is 8-2 with a 1.92 ERA in 12 career starts against the Rockies, but Oswalt is only 2-5 with a 4.78 ERA in hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark.

Oswalt, who has a 159-93 record and 3.21 ERA for Houston (2001-10) and Philadelphia (2010-11), was signed to a one-year, $4 million guaranteed contract last month. He hasn’t pitched since Game 4 of the National League division series against St. Louis and has been dealing with lower-back issues.

He made four minor-league starts, compiling a 5.87 ERA over 15 1/3 innings. Although the numbers didn’t look good, Oswalt allowed just two runs over six innings for the Express on Sunday night.

Club president Nolan Ryan scouted Sunday’s game at Dell Diamond.

“There wasn’t a wow factor to his game, but the ball was coming out of his hand well,” Ryan said. “He was doing things I anticipated seeing him do.”

General manager Jon Daneisl said,

“The big thing is he got up to 100 pitches and wasn’t laboring to get there. I think he’s as ready as he’s going to be.”

Of the injured arms, Derek Holland should be the first to return, in early July. Alexi Ogando is likely out at least a few more weeks and Neftali Feliz (sprained elbow) won’t be back until late July.

Manager Ron Washington is excited to see Oswalt.

“He’s pitched in many big-time games,” Washington said. “We know he’s not intimidated.”

The good news is it’s a low risk/ high reward factor for the last three months of the season. And if indeed Feliz is able to come back [ I believe it's debatable], the Rangers have another weapon in the pen for the remainder of the season.

Bottom line: Yes, Washington is correct, and while we can probably expect more consistency from Oswalt than Feldman, he’s 34 and coming off a back injury. Just don’t expect a white horse to be around when he starts tomorrow night or the rest of the season.