Ogando to resume throwing on Friday

ARLINGTON -- Alexi Ogando, who is on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder, is scheduled to resume throwing on Friday. It will be his first time throwing since being shut down last week in Toronto.

This is the second time that Ogando has been on the DL this season. He was sidelined from May 16 to June 5 with tendinitis in his triceps as he tries to transition from his role as a reliever last season back to his former role as a starter.

Despite Ogando's two trips to the DL, the Rangers still plan on using him as a starter when he returns. They might take it a little slower this time getting him back, but he is still considered a part of the rotation.

"He wants to be a starter, and he's good at it, so why shouldn't he be a starter?" general manager Jon Daniels said.

Colby Lewis is also planning on taking another step on Friday when he throws off the front of the mound. Lewis has been limited to playing catch and long-toss this week while waiting for the soreness behind his right elbow to subside, but this week has gone well, so he is ready to start climbing back up on the hill.

"Everything has gone really good this week," Lewis said. "I'm definitely encouraged by this week."

Lewis, who had surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon on July 27, has made three rehab starts in the Minors. The most recent one was on May 25, with Triple-A Round Rock, and he was shut down after that because of the soreness.