Colby Lewis to make rehab start on Thursday

Per Jeff Wilson on Twitter, Ranger righthanded starting pitcher Colby Lewis will make a rehab start for the Round Rock Express on Thursday.

Lewis had indicated that he thought he would be ready to join the major league team after yesterday's start, but the team's schedule and the way the rotation is currently set up would have made an immediate return problematic.

The pitcher whose rotation spot would seem to be in the most jeopardy is Alexi Ogando. Ogando has yet to go more than five innings in a start since coming off the disabled list in late July, and since coming off the d.l., he has walked 7 batters and struck out just 4 while allowing 7 runs in 13.2 innings pitched. Ogando also has experience pitching in relief, and so might be a more natural fit in the pen at this point.

Ogando's spot in the rotation comes up again on Wednesday, and Lewis would not be able to come back on short rest and pitch then. However, the Rangers have an off day on Thursday, so if Lewis were to pitch for Round Rock then, he would be in sync to pitch again the next time Ogando's spot comes around, on Tuesday against Milwaukee.