Rangers Activate Eovaldi from IL for Crucial Mariners Clash in Arlington

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy welcomed back a cornerstone of the rotation Friday, activating right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from the injured list ahead of a key American League West showdown with the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Eovaldi, 36, had been sidelined since June 1 with a triceps muscle injury but rejoins the active roster with impressive pre-injury numbers: 73 strikeouts over 69.1 innings and a 0.808 WHIP that anchored the Rangers' staff.

Eovaldi draws the Friday night start against Mariners ace Logan Gilbert, a matchup that could swing momentum in the tight divisional race. The Rangers, sitting at 5-2 after a 1-0 win over Cincinnati earlier in the week, turned to roster maneuvers to stay healthy, placing young righty Jack Leiter on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Wednesday for a right middle finger blister. Leiter exited after five strong innings in that game, prompting the recall of veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin from Triple-A Round Rock — a move allowed early due to the IL opening.

Injuries have tested Texas' depth this season, with recent moves including the placement of relievers Luis Curvelo (right biceps strain) and Chris Martin (right shoulder impingement) on the 15-day IL before Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics at Sutter Health Park. The club responded by selecting right-handers Cal Quantrill and Gavin Collyer from Round Rock, transferring lefty Cody Bradford to the 60-day IL after his June 2025 elbow surgery. Outfielder Wyatt Langford remains sidelined with a Grade 1 right flexor strain since April 22, with a potential early May return, while catcher Jonah Heim and pitcher Jonathan Hernandez were activated earlier this week.