The Texas Rangers have been without a key piece of their pitching rotation for nearly a month. Right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was placed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 10 due to right elbow inflammation.
Eovaldi, 36, is eyeing a return to the starting mound at some point this season. He is taking the necessary steps to make that happen.
Eovaldi threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session on Thursday, wrote Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports. The two-time All-Star did so “without restriction.”
“The next step will depend on how he feels Friday. Could be another bullpen or a live BP.”
Nathan Eovaldi’s Impact on the Rangers This Season
While throwing father time to the side, Nathan Eovaldi has remained a top pitcher for the Rangers in 2026. Through 22 starts this season, Eovaldi has a 10-9 record, 4.21 ERA, and 1.21 WHIP across 132.2 innings.
These numbers aren’t quite the same as his 11-3 record, 1.73 ERA, and 0.85 WHIP in 2025, but he has still surpassed his 130.0 innings pitched mark from last season.
Eovaldi hasn’t gotten to the point of his recovery to schedule a rehab stint, but his contributions would be key in the Rangers’ chase for a spot in the postseason.
Cal Quantrill Faces Shane McClanahan in Series Opener vs. Rays
To begin the Texas Rangers’ three- game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, righty Cal Quantrill (6-5, 3.01 ERA) will get the start going against the Rays’ lefty Shane McClanahan (10-6, 3.19 ERA).
Texas will have Ezequial Duran leading off, followed by Corey Seager, Wyatt Langford, Brandon Nimmo, Justin Fosque, Jake Burger, Logan O’Hoppe, Cody Freeman, and Elias Diaz.
Rangers Eyeing a Spot in the Postseason Entering Final Month of Regular Season
Entering the final month of the MLB regular season, the Texas Rangers are in a high-pressure postseason situation. Although October is still a month away, the Rangers are in a situation where every game counts.
Entering Thursday, the Rangers are 2.5 games behind the Houston Astros for the lead in the American League West. The Wild Card is an even closer race. Texas, along with four other teams (Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners) are within four games of the Cleveland Guardians, who currently have the final spot in the AL Wild Card.
Texas has been streaky in the second half of the regular season. The highs have been okay, but the lows have included a six-game losing streak from July 29 to Aug. 3 and multiple four-game losing streaks.
Rangers Get New Nathan Eovaldi Injury Update Amid IL Stint