Alexi Ogando will make his first start of the season Sunday in the series finale at AT&T Park, and has been told that he will be back in the bullpen once Roy Oswalt and Derek Holland are ready to rejoin the rotation.
“It’s start to start, and we explained that to him,” Washington said. “I don’t think it’ll be a shock.”
Washington believes that 60 pitches would be reasonable if Ogando is able to get some quick outs and doesn’t push the accelerator too much. Ogando routinely has been clocked in the upper 90s this season, but Washington said the right-handers needs to work around 93 or 94 mph to save a little strength.
Ogando wants to be a starter, but understands his role and value as a reliever. His goal Sunday is to pitch as long as he can after having logged no more than two innings or 39 pitches this season.
He couldn’t put a number on his potential workload.
“I don’t know,” said Ogando, an All-Star starter last year. “It depends on how I feel. I’m going to do whatever I can.”
-- Jeff Wilson
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