ARLINGTON -- Rangers general manager Jon Daniels returned from the Dominican Republic on Thursday, but it doesn't look like he's going to bring banished pitchers Omar Beltre and Alexi Ogando with him.

The Rangers' two prized pitching prospects remain unable to enter the United States despite the club's best efforts to solve the legal problems that are keeping them in the Dominican Republic. Both were caught up in a visa scandal three years ago and are still being denied a visa to come to the U.S.

Daniels, along with other Rangers officials, met with officials at the American embassy in the Dominican Republic while he was down there this week and came away with a bleak view of the situation.

"I wish I had more positive news to report," Daniels said. "I feel like we've gone down most of the paths that are available to us. It's not completely dead but I'm not real optimistic.

"What I don't like is the real criminals behind this -- not only haven't they been caught, they're not being pursued or prosecuted. Our guys, these players, they are good kids and they have admitted their wrong-doing, but they're basically having their careers taken away with a lifetime ban. They are being held to a higher standard than the masterminds of all this."

Beltre and Ogando have spent the past three summers pitching in the Dominican Summer League. Daniels said it is coming to the point where the Rangers may have to let both pitchers go and allow them to pitch in a higher league in another country like Japan.

Ponson throws for Rangers: Sidney Ponson threw for the Rangers earlier this week in the Dominican, and the Rangers are considering signing him to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

"It's something we're talking about internally," Daniels said. "We have not made an offer or committed to anything. If we do something, it will be to protect ourselves against multiple injuries."

Ponson was 2-5 with a 6.93 ERA in seven starts for the Twins last year. The Rangers also watched reliever Armando Benitez throw but aren't likely to have interest.

Galarraga watch: Daniels said he has had conversations with four different teams concerning Minor League pitcher Armando Galarraga, who was designated for assignment a week ago.

"I'm hoping to make a deal this weekend," Daniels said.

Ryan watch: The Astros are going to try and do their best to keep Nolan Ryan in their organization rather than losing him to the Rangers. Ryan has talked to owner Tom Hicks about the re-joining the Rangers as club president, but Astros owner Drayton McLane is also open to having him take a more active role with his club.

"We have encouraged him in the past to get more involved and he has said he's given about as much time as he could," McLane said. "When I do get a chance to sit down with Nolan, we're going to see if he can free up some more time for us."

Ryan has a personal services contract with the Astros, but also owns two of their Minor League teams, in Round Rock and Corpus Christi, in addition to other business interests. The Rangers club presidency would presumably be a full-time job.

"It would be a good opportunity to work with someone like him," Daniels said. "We have a good plan in place and a direction where we want to go and he can only enhance that."