The Texas Rangers are keeping a close eye on Nathan Eovaldi. After he reported tightness in his left side, he has been scratched from tonight’s start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Manager Skip Schumaker mentioned that imaging would be done to assess the situation. Meanwhile, Jakob Junis is stepping in to pitch the initial innings of what has become an unexpected bullpen game.
Fortunately for the Rangers, their bullpen is in good shape. They’ve just come off two impressive shutout wins against the Chicago Cubs, showcasing their pitching depth. Jack Leiter pitched on Saturday, using three relievers, but none exhausted themselves. Jacob Latz wrapped things up yesterday, pitching 20 solid pitches in two scoreless innings behind a dominant start from Jacob deGrom, who struck out 10 in seven innings.
While the team can manage without one start, they’d struggle if Eovaldi needs a longer break. He’s been a standout pitcher for the Rangers. His 4.15 ERA this season, while higher than in previous years, is mostly due to an increase in home runs allowed. Eovaldi can have rough outings, but he also has four quality starts, particularly against strong teams like the Yankees, where he only allowed one run over 15 innings in two recent games.
Despite having a competitive pitching staff, the Rangers are battling a lackluster offense, ranking near the bottom in runs scored for the third straight year. Their success (19-21) hinges on their strong pitching, which boasts the sixth-best ERA in the league, mainly thanks to a bullpen that leads the MLB with a stellar 2.80 ERA.
The starting rotation still features deGrom, Eovaldi, and promising arms like Leiter, MacKenzie Gore, and Kumar Rocker. Each of these pitchers has shown flashes of brilliance, but their performance varies. For instance, Latz, who transitioned from a spot starter to closer, has shone with 20 2/3 innings of just two earned runs this season.
Recent developments also include additional concerns for the team. Josh Smith, the new everyday second baseman, is currently sidelined with a glute strain and wrist inflammation. He hasn’t had a strong start to the season, hitting just .217 with no home runs. In his absence, Ezequiel Duran has stepped up at second base, hitting .286 over 32 games. This shift has also opened opportunities for Alejandro Osuna, who has impressed since being called up from the minors.
Looking at the broader context, injuries can change the course of a season. In 2023, many teams are dealing with similar challenges of maintaining performance amid health issues. The recent emphasis on pitching quality has shown how vital a strong bullpen can be in the league. The Rangers’ resilience will be continually tested this season.
For more information on the state of the Rangers, check out this article on ESPN.
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jake latz,josh smith (1997),nathan eovaldi
