ARLINGTON, Texas – Right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi could be out for the rest of the season due to a rotator cuff strain, representing a tough blow for the Texas Rangers in their attempt to secure a playoff spot. Eovaldi, with an 11-3 record and a 1.73 ERA in 22 starts, was among the favorites for the American League Cy Young Award. On Tuesday, after suspending a bullpen session due to persistent discomfort, Eovaldi underwent an MRI. The 35-year-old pitcher expressed surprise at the results, as he had not experienced shoulder problems in his 14 seasons in the Major Leagues.
“I just felt it was getting a little worse, so I shut it down and asked the trainers to check it out,” Eovaldi said. “Obviously, it’s frustrating given the great season I’ve had… I don’t want to rule out the rest of the season, but it doesn’t look very good.”
Nathan Eovaldi
Entering Tuesday, Eovaldi was tied for third among the favorites for the American League Cy Young.
“Obviously, it’s a big blow. He’s been a teammate and a tremendous competitor for us all year,” Young commented. “I hate that this is happening to someone who has been so important to the organization. But it seems to be part of the course of how the season has gone. So I feel sorry for Evo, I feel sorry for the team.”
Chris YoungWith 29 games remaining before Tuesday night, the Rangers were 5.5 games behind Seattle for the last American League wild card spot. The Mariners and Kansas City have advantages over Texas. In addition to Eovaldi’s injury, the Rangers have suffered other significant losses. Center fielder Evan Carter suffered a fracture in his right wrist after being hit by a pitch, and second baseman Marcus Semien was placed on the injured list for the second time in his 13 MLB seasons due to a foot injury. First baseman Jake Burger was also placed on the injured list. Both Semien and Eovaldi could return if the Rangers advance to the playoffs. Semien is expected to be out for four to six weeks, and Eovaldi will undergo another MRI in about four weeks. Eovaldi has been one of the best baseball pitchers this season, and was part of the Rangers’ 3.43 effectiveness. Despite not having been selected for the American League All-Star team, he received a $100,000 bonus from the Rangers. Eovaldi, who signed a three-year, $75 million contract through 2027, has won at least 11 games in each of his last three seasons with his home state team. Eovaldi, with a career record of 102-84 and an ERA of 3.84 in 14 seasons, has won World Series championships with Boston in 2018 and Texas in 2023. “I’m very proud to be able to pitch every five days,” Eovaldi said. “Having the result we have now is very tough for me. And you always feel like there’s some way to prevent an injury from happening. And, unfortunately, I couldn’t do it.”
