The Texas Rangers' starting rotation has taken a huge hit.
The Rangers announced on Monday that they're placing right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to August 9) due to right elbow posterior inflammation. In a corresponding move, the Rangers are calling up right-handed rookie Ben Peoples from Triple-A Round Rock.
Eovaldi last pitched for the Rangers on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, lasting 5.1 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits, with two walks and two strikeouts.
The 36-year-old has struggled since the start of July, posting a 5.01 ERA while allowing seven home runs across 32.1 innings pitched. Eovaldi also suffered the same injury last season, which sidelined him for nearly a month.
Eovaldi is in the second year of a three-year, $75 million extension he inked with the Rangers in December 2024. The veteran hurler has strung together a productive run for Texas, logging a 10-9 record across 22 starts, with a 4.21 ERA, 137 strikeouts and a 1.21 WHIP in 132.2 innings of work.
The aforementioned Peoples will now take Eovaldi's place on the roster. The rookie has appeared in 12 games this season, allowing just three earned runs in 12.1 innings.
The Rangers are hoping Eovaldi won't be on the shelf for too long, as they remain very much alive in the AL West division chase. Texas begins Monday just a half-game behind the Houston Astros for first place in the division with a record of 59-59, but holds the third and final wild-card spot in the weak American League. They begin a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim on Monday.
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