Texas Rangers Skipping Nathan Eovaldi's Start vs. Houston Astros
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers will skip Nathan Eovaldi in the starting rotation when the Rangers head to face the Houston Astros for a three-game series starting on Monday.
There’s nothing wrong with the Rangers’ top starter, manager Bruce Bochy said on Sunday. He just needs a break. And, this has been the plan all along.
“This is what we’ve been talking about,” Bochy said. “Strategically, I think it’s time to give him a little break.”
Jon Gray is set to start on Monday. The Rangers' game notes list Andrew Heaney as the probable starter for Wednesday. He started Friday's game and would pitch on normal rest. But Bochy hinted that could change.
The Tuesday rotation spot — which was to be Eovaldi’s — is to be determined. Bochy hinted that Owen White — who was just called up from Triple-A to work as a long reliever is an option.
“It’s possible,” Bochy said. “We’ll see how it goes the next couple of days.”
Bochy also said that the hope is to not have to use White on Sunday.
Cody Bradford, who has made spot starts for the Rangers this season, is another option. He pitched on Friday in relief.
Eovaldi (11-3, 2.69) has been the Rangers’ best starter all season. He last pitched against Tampa Bay on Tuesday, where he threw six shutout innings and helped the Rangers claim a fifth straight victory.
With his turn being completely skipped, Eovaldi probably won’t pitch again until next weekend in San Diego. That would give him 10 or 11 days of rest.
It also means Eovaldi would only make four starts in July. He threw on July 1 and July 6 before the All-Star Break, followed by throwing one inning against the National League on July 11 in the All-Star Game. That was followed by six days’ rest before the Tampa Bay start.
Bochy also said this won’t be the last time the Rangers deploy this strategy, either, as he’s thinking about the rotation’s long-term health.
“We’re probably going to do it with another pitcher,” Bochy said. “In the next two or three weeks you’ll see it. This was talked about before the season. At some point we’d like to get these guys a little extra time.”
The Astros have set their probables for the series. On Monday Brandon Bielak (5-5, 3.46) will face Gray (6-5, 3.31). J.P. France will start for the Astros on Tuesday. Houston ace Framber Valdez (8-6, 2.94) will face Heaney (6-6, 4.58) on Wednesday.
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