The Texas Rangers have suffered another potentially significant setback in their starting rotation after placing veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list because of inflammation in his right posterior elbow.
The Rangers announced the roster move on August 10, with the transaction being retroactive to August 9. To take Eovaldi’s place on the roster, Texas recalled fellow right-handed pitcher Ben Peoples.
At this point, the Rangers have not provided extensive details about the severity of Eovaldi’s condition or how long they expect him to be unavailable. The uncertainty surrounding the injury makes the situation especially important for a Texas club that is fighting to remain in the postseason picture.
Eovaldi last took the mound on Friday, when he worked 5 1/3 innings. While there was no obvious indication during the outing that he had suffered an injury, his velocity was slightly lower than it had been in his previous start.
Eovaldi averaged 92.9 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball during that appearance. In his previous outing, the pitch averaged 93.6 mph. The difference is not enormous, and there was nothing during the game that immediately suggested Eovaldi was dealing with a serious physical problem. However, inflammation may have developed either during the start or afterward, potentially during a bullpen session between appearances.
For now, the Rangers will likely wait for additional medical information before determining how serious the situation could be. A short stint on the injured list would obviously be the preferred outcome for Texas, especially considering where the team stands in the playoff race.
Despite being 36 years old, Eovaldi has continued to provide the Rangers with dependable innings and competitive performances. He has already thrown 132 2/3 innings this season and owns a 4.21 ERA. His underlying numbers also show that he has remained an effective pitcher.
Eovaldi has recorded a 24.7% strikeout rate, while his 5.8% walk rate and 48.8% ground-ball rate are all better than league average. The biggest blemish on his statistical profile this season has been his susceptibility to home runs.
The veteran has surrendered 24 home runs this year, which is already a career high. That number has contributed to his elevated ERA, although some of his other statistics suggest that his overall performance may be better than his traditional numbers indicate.
One metric that supports that argument is SIERA, an ERA estimator designed to provide a more predictive view of a pitcher’s performance. SIERA expects certain statistics, including home-run rates, to move closer to normal levels over larger samples. Eovaldi’s SIERA currently sits at 3.45, significantly lower than his 4.21 ERA
That difference could suggest that Eovaldi has pitched better than his ERA indicates in certain areas. Regardless, his absence creates an immediate challenge for Texas.
The Rangers are hoping the injury does not become another major issue in Eovaldi’s career. The veteran has a complicated injury history, including Tommy John surgery in both 2007 and 2016. Although he has generally managed to remain relatively healthy since his second elbow reconstruction, missing time has still been a recurring part of his career.
This season marks the sixth consecutive year in which Eovaldi has made at least 20 starts. However, he has reached the 30-start mark only once during that stretch. That history makes it difficult to completely dismiss the possibility of an extended absence whenever an elbow issue emerges.
While the Rangers wait for more information, they will have to figure out how to cover Eovaldi’s spot in the rotation.
Texas currently has Jacob deGrom, MacKenzie Gore, Kumar Rocker and Cody Bradford occupying four rotation positions. The team also has Jack Leiter, but he remains on the 60-day injured list and cannot return until later this month at the earliest. Even more importantly, Leiter has not yet started a rehabilitation assignment, meaning he is unlikely to provide an immediate solution.
That leaves the Rangers with limited options.
Jordan Montgomery and Cal Quantrill could become candidates to temporarily move into the starting rotation. Both pitchers are currently working out of the bullpen, but each has experience starting games.
Quantrill recently had a rotation role, taking regular starts from late June through late July. His move to the bullpen came after Bradford returned from the injured list, forcing Texas to make adjustments to its pitching staff.
Montgomery is another possibility. The left-hander was only recently activated from the 60-day injured list after recovering from Tommy John surgery performed last year. During his rehabilitation process, Montgomery was stretched out to handle multiple innings. He provided four innings of long relief in his most recent appearance, which could make him an interesting candidate if the Rangers need someone to make a spot start.
However, the Rangers would certainly prefer not to have to make major changes to their rotation. The timing of Eovaldi’s injury is particularly unfortunate because Texas is right in the middle of a fiercely contested postseason race.
The Rangers currently sit at 59-59, leaving them just half a game behind the Houston Astros in the American League West. Texas is also occupying the final American League Wild Card position, but its margin for error is extremely small.
The Rangers are only one game ahead of the Detroit Tigers for that final playoff spot, while several other clubs remain within striking distance. With the postseason race so tight, every missed start from an established veteran like Eovaldi could become increasingly important.
A short absence would be manageable, particularly if Montgomery, Quantrill or another pitcher can provide reliable innings. But if Eovaldi’s elbow inflammation turns out to be more serious and keeps him sidelined for an extended period, the implications could be much greater.
The issue could even carry significance beyond the current season. Eovaldi’s contract runs through the 2027 campaign, which is the final guaranteed year of his deal. The same is true for deGrom, whose contract also reaches its guaranteed conclusion after next season. Gore is scheduled to become a free agent following the 2027 season as well.
That means the Rangers could be approaching an important transition point with their starting rotation. Several significant decisions could be waiting for the organization in the near future, making Eovaldi’s health particularly important.
If he returns quickly and resumes his role without complications, the Rangers may look back at this injury as little more than a temporary interruption. But if the elbow inflammation requires a lengthy recovery, it could become a much more serious concern for a team attempting to make the playoffs now while also planning for its future.
For the moment, Texas will have to wait for more information before determining the true extent of Eovaldi’s injury. The Rangers can only hope that the inflammation settles quickly and that their veteran starter is able to return to the mound without further complications.
With the American League playoff race becoming increasingly competitive, the Rangers have little room for setbacks. Eovaldi has been an important part of their rotation throughout the season, and his availability could play a major role in determining how Texas navigates the final stretch of the campaign.
