Texas scratched Nathan Eovaldi before a home opener against Arizona due to left side tightness, with Jakob Junis slated to start.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers moved quickly to adjust their pitching plans Monday night, scratching right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from his scheduled start after what they described as left side tightness.
About three hours before the first pitch of the series opener at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks. the Rangers announced that right-handed reliever Jakob Junis would take Eovaldi’s place on the mound.. The change underscored how closely teams monitor day-to-day physical issues during the season. particularly when a scheduled starter is already partway through a busy stretch.
Eovaldi’s most recent performances had been a bright spot for Texas.. Entering the decision. he was coming off consecutive wins against the New York Yankees in his prior two starts. performances in which he limited the Yankees to a single run total and struck out 15 batters across 15 innings.. In one of those outings, he allowed one run over eight innings at Yankee Stadium last Wednesday.
The righthander also had carried momentum at home before this latest update.. In his most recent appearance at Globe Life Field on April 29. he threw seven scoreless innings against the Yankees. further adding to expectations that he would remain in the role of starting pitcher for the home series opener.
The Rangers’ concern, however, centered on the body rather than the results. Eovaldi, 36, is a two-time All-Star who posted a career-best 1.73 ERA in 2024 while going 11-3, though his season was also shaped by injuries that limited how often he could take the ball.
Last season, he missed most of June with elbow inflammation. He did not pitch after Aug. 22 due to a rotator cuff strain, a history that can influence how teams manage workload and rest windows when new tightness appears.
This year. Eovaldi’s record listed as 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA as of the period leading up to Monday night’s decision.. While season numbers matter. the team’s choice to replace him before the scheduled start highlights how quickly medical and training staffs can intervene when they believe a game-time risk has emerged.
Junis, a reliever stepping into the starting role, will now be tasked with beginning the series against Arizona. For the Rangers, that likely means a shift in how they manage innings and bullpen availability, as a starter being scratched close to game time can affect the entire pitching plan.
For Texas fans watching the rotation. the immediate question is how long the left side tightness might linger and whether Eovaldi can return to form after this interruption.. Because tightness can develop from the normal strain of pitching mechanics or from an early. treatable flare-up. the Rangers’ next medical updates will be closely watched as the season continues.
Nathan Eovaldi left side tightness Texas Rangers vs Arizona Jakob Junis start MLB injuries Rangers pitching news Globe Life Field opener