Dustin Nippert has been added to the Rangers’ World Series roster, replacing reliever Alexi Ogando. Ron Washington had relegated Ogando to a mop-up role early in the playoffs, but he has been the most effective reliever for the Rangers in this series, completing 3.2 scoreless innings and allowing one hit and no walks while striking out six. He was in the middle of a second quick inning Sunday when his side tightened on him.
Ogando has been a revelation for the Rangers this season. Pitching for the first time in the United States, he jumped quickly from Double-A to Triple-A to the majors and posted a 1.30 ERA in 41.2 innings.
Nippert was active for the Rangers’ ALDS series with the Rays but made just one appearance, a one-inning stint in the ninth inning of Game 3. He entered with Texas trailing 4-2 and allowed a single and a two-run home run that put the game out of reach.