Texas Rangers Activate Ace Nathan Eovaldi for Critical Astros Matchup

The Texas Rangers have ace Nathan Eovaldi back for the middle game of the series against the Houston Astros.

The Texas Rangers activated pitcher Nathan Eovaldi on Tuesday to start a crucial game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field.

The second game of the series is set for 7:05 p.m. The Rangers lost the opener 13-6 on Monday.

The Rangers named Eovaldi the starting pitcher after Monday’s game but did not activate him immediately. He has missed a month due to a forearm strain and had a minor setback last weekend with tightness in his right side.

To make room for Eovaldi, the Rangers placed reliever Josh Sborz on the 15-day injured list and designated reliever Glenn Otto for assignment. Texas also selected the contract of reliever Ian Kennedy from Triple-A Round Rock.

Rangers transactions for Tuesday:
-RHP Nathan Eovaldi activated from 15-day Injured List
-RHP Ian Kennedy (#21) contract selected from Round Rock (AAA)
-RHP Josh Sborz placed on 15-day Injured List
-RHP Glenn Otto designated for assignment

— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) September 5, 2023

Eovaldi threw an up/down bullpen session on Friday at Globe Life Field under the watchful eye of manager Bruce Bochy. He also threw once more before Tuesday.

The Rangers are starting Eovaldi without a rehab assignment and dropping him in the middle of a three-game series with their American League West rivals. The division race has the Seattle Mariners (77-60) and Houston (78-61) tied at the top, with the Rangers (76-61) one game behind.

Eovaldi is taking Dane Dunning’s turn in the rotation.

The Rangers could use the help. They’ve been in a tailspin since mid-August, having lost 13 of their last 17 games to lose their lead in the division. The Rangers are still in both the division race and the AL Wild Card race, though the Toronto Blue Jays are just a half-game back for the final spot entering Tuesday’s action.

Since Eovaldi went on the injured list on July 30, he threw at least eight bullpens and a batting practice session in an effort to be as stretched out as possible for his return without a rehab assignment.

Eovaldi has made just one start since the All-Star break, throwing six shutout innings on July 18 in a win over Tampa Bay at Globe Life Field. Eovaldi is 11-3 with a 2.69 ERA for the season.

---

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.