During a relief appearance in Sunday's Game 4, Ranger righty Alexi Ogando had to come out after injuring his side. The injury was to his left oblique, and there was widespread speculation that he wouldn't be able to return in the rest of the series. Oblique injuries tend to knock pitchers out for at least a couple weeks during the regular season.
As of Monday, the Rangers have agreed that Ogando won't be able to come back. As such, they have dropped him from their World Series roster and replaced him with Dustin Nippert.
It's a tough break, as Ogando had been effective. Armed with a live arm and a high-90s fastball, Ogando averages a strikeout an inning and had allowed only one run over six playoff innings, with eight strikeouts and one walk. He was an important piece of Texas' middle relief.
In steps the righty Nippert, who made an appearance during the ALDS against the Rays, and who also made two NLCS appearance for the Diamondbacks in 2007. Nippert is not incapable of getting hitters out, but he doesn't miss bats to nearly the degree that Ogando does, and he very frequently struggles with walks. Nippert isn't likely to pick up any important innings.
With a weakened bullpen, expect Ron Washington to lean on his starters as long as he can.
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