Another Key Player is officially back with the Texas Rangers, giving the club another important arm for the final stretch of the 2026 season. Texas activated the veteran right-hander from the 15-day injured list on September 12 after he missed roughly five weeks with right posterior elbow inflammation.
Eovaldi’s last appearance before the injury came on August 7 against the Baltimore Orioles, when he delivered 5⅓ innings of one-run baseball. At the time he went on the IL, he was leading the Rangers in both wins and innings pitched, making his absence particularly significant as Texas battled to remain in the postseason picture.
The return also came with an important adjustment to Eovaldi’s role. Although he had been a regular member of the Rangers’ rotation, Texas did not immediately put him back into the starting rotation.
Instead, he returned without making a formal rehab start and was initially used out of the bullpen, allowing the Rangers to control his workload while he worked his way back from the elbow issue.
Before his injury, the 36-year-old had posted a 10-9 record, 4.21 ERA, 1.206 WHIP and 137 strikeouts across 22 starts and 132⅔ innings.
His first game back provided an encouraging early sign. Eovaldi entered Saturday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in relief and worked 2⅔ innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out two.
It was his first major-league appearance since August 7, and he was able to give Texas multiple innings in a 6-2 Rangers victory. The outing was especially useful because starter Kumar Rocker was removed after four-plus innings, requiring the bullpen to cover additional work.
There is also some added context surrounding the elbow injury because this was not the first time Eovaldi had dealt with posterior elbow inflammation. He missed several weeks with the same issue in 2025, and the Rangers were therefore cautious with his latest recovery.
When he initially went on the IL, imaging confirmed inflammation after he experienced discomfort while playing catch, and his velocity had also been down during his final start before the injury.
The Rangers ultimately waited until he had progressed through bullpen work and live batting-practice sessions before activating him.
With Eovaldi now back, the Rangers have another experienced pitcher available during a crucial part of their season. His initial role appears to be as a multi-inning relief option, but the possibility of eventually building him back toward a starting role remains.
Texas entered the September 12 game just two games behind the Astros in the AL West and two games behind the final American League Wild Card position, with only 13 games remaining at that point.
Eovaldi’s return therefore gives the Rangers another experienced arm capable of providing length while they manage his workload and determine whether he can transition back into the rotation before the season ends.
