[1] He began the 2004 campaign with the Vancouver Canadians, but after starting the season 0 for 13 and batting .150 in six games, he was demoted back to Arizona.

As a hitter, Ogando was noted for his raw power and bat speed, drawing comparisons to Alex Ríos from his Arizona League Athletics manager Ruben Escalera.

[4] He earned an invitation to spring training in 2005; however, when he went to the U.S. embassy to pick up his work visa that January, consulate officials were waiting.

They had noticed that an inordinate number of young minor league ballplayers had been married in a short period of time to women who had previously been denied visas, and it raised a red flag.

Ogando immediately admitted guilt to his involvement in a human trafficking ring, and was assured that he would likely only receive a one-year exclusion, and that he would be able to reapply the following year.

As it turned out, he was banned from entering the United States for five years, limiting him to winter ball, the Dominican Summer League and international tournaments.

[5][6] Further efforts included sending Ogando to workouts in Japan, to see if any Nippon Professional Baseball teams were interested in his services.

The Texas Rangers contacted the United States government, then led by former team owner George W. Bush, and Ogando was eventually pardoned, after speaking out on the dangers of human trafficking.

[9] After spring training, he was assigned to the double A Frisco RoughRiders and soon earned a promotion to triple A after dominating the Texas League with a 1.15 ERA in 15.2 innings.

[10] He made his major league debut on June 15, pitching one inning and earning the win against the Florida Marlins.

[13] Ogando started the 2011 season as the Texas Rangers' fifth starter following an injury to Tommy Hunter in spring training.