The Texas Rangers have placed starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list due to right triceps soreness, retroactive to May 28. Eovaldi exited his last start against the Toronto Blue Jays after two scoreless innings, with the team initially describing the move as precautionary.
Eovaldi, 35, has been a cornerstone of the Rangers’ rotation this season, posting a 4–3 record with a 1.56 ERA and 73 strikeouts over 69⅓ innings. His ERA ranks second among qualified MLB pitchers, underscoring his significance to the team’s pitching staff.Rangers’ Ace Faces Injury Setback: Will the Team’s Rotation Stay Strong Without Their Star?
Despite Eovaldi expressing optimism about returning for the upcoming series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Rangers opted for caution. President of Baseball Operations Chris Young stated, “Structurally, everything looks really good. We just gotta get this triceps thing calmed down. We anticipate that he’ll be ready at the end of the 15-day mark.”
In response to Eovaldi’s placement on the IL, the Rangers recalled right-handed reliever Codi Heuer … . Heuer, 28, has a 3.27 ERA over 19 appearances this season in the minors. To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher Tucker Barnhart was designated for assignment.
Additionally, the Rangers plan to activate right-hander Kumar Rocker from the injured list to start Wednesday’s game against the Rays. Rocker has been sidelined since May 23 with a shoulder impingement but has performed well in recent rehab assignments.
The Rangers, currently in a tight race in the American League West, will rely on their pitching depth to navigate Eovaldi’s absence. With a league-best 2.80 ERA among starting rotations, the team aims to maintain its competitive edge during this critical stretch of the season.
