ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers right-hander Alexi Ogano has inflammation in a nerve near his right shoulder and could miss at least one start.
Ogando's CT scan was sent to Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion Friday. The Rangers hope to get a report back Friday night. The scan was sent to Dr. Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., per Ogando's choice.
Ogando could receive an injection this weekend, which would rule him out for Monday's start against Houston.
"It's headed that way, but he hasn't been ruled out (for the start)," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said.
The Rangers haven't decided who would fill in for Ogando if he can't make Monday's start. Right-hander Ross Wolf, who is currently the long man out of bullpen, could get the call. Triple-A Round Rock pitchers Josh Lindblom and Travis Blackley could also get the start.
Daniels said that there doesn't appear to be any structural damage with Ogando's shoulder. This is the second time since June that Ogando has had shoulder inflammation.
Ogando was on the 15-day disabled list for six weeks from June 6 to July 23. He's 1-2 with a 4.68 ERA for five starts since coming back.
Ogando was also on the DL for three weeks from May 16 to June 5 with right biceps tendinitis.
It leaves the Rangers in a position to decide whether Ogando is a starter or a reliever going forward. Because of the injuries, he's made only 15 starts this season.
"It's something we'll think about more in the offseason," Daniels said. "He was very good as a starter in 2011. He was OK out of the bullpen last year. He wasn't as dominant as we had seen in the past. He's probably been a little more inconsistent this year. I'm not sure it's the role. I know that's the popular theory. I'm not sure we really know that."
