A clearer picture is beginning to emerge regarding Texas Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi’s return from injury.
According to multiple sources, including The Dallas Morning News, Eovaldi threw his second bullpen session on Tuesday since landing on the 15-day injured list on May 29 with inflammation in his right posterior elbow.
Manager Bruce Bochy revealed that Eovaldi is trending toward throwing live batting practice, likely during the team’s upcoming road trip to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates.
That session could be the turning point. Bochy indicated that the Rangers will decide on Eovaldi’s next step afterward — which might be a minor league rehab start, though there’s a “good chance” his return could come directly at the Major League level.
Historically, Eovaldi hasn’t gone to the minors for rehab while with the Rangers. In 2023, when he missed time due to a forearm strain, he returned straight to MLB action in September during the club’s postseason push. Earlier that same year, he was activated without a rehab stint following a groin injury. In fact, his last minor league rehab assignment came in 2022 when he was still with the Boston Red Sox.
Eovaldi has had an outstanding season so far, posting a 4–3 record with a 1.56 ERA over 12 starts. He’s struck out 73 and walked just 10 in 69.1 innings. Since re-signing with Texas on a three-year, $75 million deal in the offseason, he’s proven to be a major asset in one of baseball’s most effective rotations.
Before his injury, Eovaldi was arguably the Rangers’ top starter in May. In five outings, he pitched 26.2 innings with an eye-popping 0.68 ERA, allowing just two earned runs, 16 hits, and striking out 27 batters while issuing only seven walks. He went 2–1 in that stretch, logging three quality starts.
