Rangers’ Plan for Nathan Eovaldi and Other Starters

Introduction to the Situation

The Texas Rangers are optimistic that Nathan Eovaldi will not need an IL stint after leaving his Tuesday start with triceps tightness. However, there is still a need to be cautious with him and consider the needs of other starters. Manager Bruce Bochy said the Rangers may consider moving Eovaldi’s next start, currently scheduled for Tuesday at Tampa Bay, “back a few days.” Eovaldi left Tuesday’s start against Toronto after just two innings due to the triceps issue.

“Good news there,” Bochy said of followup exams on Eovaldi. “There is nothing to be overly concerned about.” The issue with simply sliding Eovaldi back a few days is that it would potentially disrupt the Rangers’ plans to give as many starters as possible a full extra day of rest due to an off day Thursday.

Rangers’ Schedule and Plans

The Rangers complete a rigorous stretch of 35 games in 37 days on Wednesday. With Thursday’s scheduled off day, they will have six off days in a 36-day span heading into the week before the All-Star break. It is a prime opportunity to give extra rest to starters, several of whom have had injury histories or low professional innings totals, as a maintenance tool.

“That could be a possibility,” Bochy said of a potential hangup with simply sliding Eovaldi back. “We’re going to huddle up and come up with the best plan. We could go with a spot starter there. We’ve already started those discussions. We were waiting to see how [Eovaldi] felt today. It was encouraging. But we still have to have a plan.”

Starters’ Innings and Rest

It’s worth noting that Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle, who missed significant portions of the 2023-24 seasons, are both on pace for more than 175 innings. Jack Leiter, in his first full major league season, is on pace to throw more than 130 innings (including his one minor league rehab start). It would surpass his previous professional high by more than 20 innings.

If the Rangers choose to go with a spot starter or a piggy-back type game, they could use some combination of right-hander Caleb Boushley and lefty Jake Latz to potentially get through five or six innings and keep everybody else on the extra day or rest.

Conclusion

The Texas Rangers are taking a cautious approach with Nathan Eovaldi and considering the needs of other starters. The team’s schedule and plans are being adjusted to give extra rest to starters, and a spot starter or piggy-back type game may be used to achieve this goal. The Rangers’ management is discussing the best plan and waiting to see how Eovaldi feels before making a decision.

FAQs

Q: Will Nathan Eovaldi need an IL stint?

A: The Rangers are optimistic that Nathan Eovaldi will not need an IL stint after leaving his Tuesday start with triceps tightness.

Q: Why are the Rangers considering moving Eovaldi’s next start?

A: The Rangers are considering moving Eovaldi’s next start back a few days to be cautious with him and not disrupt the team’s plans to give extra rest to starters.

Q: How many innings are Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle on pace for?

A: Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle are both on pace for more than 175 innings.

Q: What is the Rangers’ plan for giving extra rest to starters?

A: The Rangers plan to use the off days