Rangers Place Nathan Eovaldi on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
The Texas Rangers have been dealt a significant setback to their starting rotation after placing veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list because of inflammation in the back of his right elbow.
The move was announced Monday, with the Rangers backdating Eovaldi’s placement to Sunday. The 36-year-old pitcher becomes the latest concern for a Texas team battling for position in a highly competitive American League West race.
Eovaldi’s injury comes shortly after what was a solid performance in his most recent start. The veteran took the mound Friday against the Baltimore Orioles and worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and just one earned run. Although the Rangers ultimately decided to give him time away from the rotation, his most recent outing did not immediately suggest a major decline in performance.
The organization will now have to determine how best to cover his spot in the rotation while he recovers.
Eovaldi has been an important part of the Rangers’ pitching staff this season. Through 22 starts, he has recorded a 10-9 record and a 4.21 ERA, while striking out 137 batters across 132 2/3 innings. His ability to consistently provide innings and experience has made him a valuable member of Texas’ rotation.
One notable achievement during his time with the Rangers is his consistency in the win column. Eovaldi has reached at least 10 victories in each of his four seasons with the club, demonstrating how important he has been to the team’s efforts on the mound.
With the veteran now sidelined, Texas has responded by making a corresponding roster move. The Rangers recalled right-handed reliever Ben Peoples from Triple-A Round Rock to fill Eovaldi’s spot on the active roster.
Peoples, 25, made his Major League debut on July 4 and has already shown encouraging signs during his brief time in the big leagues. In 12 appearances, the young right-hander has posted an 0-1 record with a 2.19 ERA. He has also recorded six strikeouts while issuing only three walks over 12 1/3 innings.
While Peoples provides additional bullpen depth, his promotion does not immediately solve the larger problem facing Texas. The Rangers still need to identify a pitcher capable of taking Eovaldi’s place in the starting rotation.
The timing of the injury is particularly important because Texas is involved in a tight American League West race. Heading into Monday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Angels, the Rangers were just half a game behind the Houston Astros in the division standings.
That narrow margin means every game carries added significance, and losing an experienced starter could create additional pressure on the rest of the pitching staff.
Texas is expected to make a decision regarding Eovaldi’s replacement before Wednesday night, when his turn in the rotation comes up. The Rangers could potentially turn to another pitcher already within the organization, make a temporary adjustment with their current starters, or explore other options depending on Eovaldi’s expected recovery timeline.
For now, the priority will be monitoring the inflammation in Eovaldi’s elbow and ensuring that the veteran does not return before he is fully ready. With the Rangers competing for the division and the postseason, his eventual return could prove extremely important to their ambitions.
The club will hope the 15-day stint is enough time for Eovaldi to recover and return to the mound without further complications.
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