KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Texas Rangers opted to play it safe with Nathan Eovaldi, placing him on the 15-day injured list.
A day after he exited his start with soreness in his right groin, Eovaldi went to the IL for the 10th time in his career. Eovaldi underwent an MRI in Kansas City Friday that confirmed a strain. The Rangers recalled right-hander Yerry Rodriguez from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Eovaldi on the roster.
It means the Rangers will need two starters over the next five days. Somebody will have to pitch in Eovaldi’s place on Tuesday at Oakland. The Rangers also have a scheduled doubleheader at Oakland on Wednesday. It is likely that Jack Leiter, who pitched Thursday for Round Rock, will be recalled to make one of those starts.
The only other healthy starter on the 40-man roster is Owen White. The Rangers could either recall him or pitch the second game of the doubleheader out of the bullpen. That could be dicey, though, in the event the Rangers have to use a number of pitchers in the opener.
Eovaldi missed nearly six weeks last season with a forearm strain.
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