Nathan Eovaldi exits with groin injury in Rangers-Nationals game

ARLINGTON — The Rangers’ starting pitching depth has already been tested throughout the young 2024 season, and they might have just been handed another challenge on Thursday.

Texas ace Nathan Eovaldi was cruising in the Rangers’ 6-0 win over the Nationals in the series finale at Globe Life Field, having dealt five shutout innings before things hit a speed bump. Eovaldi left the game with one out in the sixth inning with right groin tightness.

Eovaldi opened the top of the sixth by getting a lineout from CJ Abrams before issuing a one-out walk to Nick Senzel. He threw one more pitch to Luis García Jr. — a 93.8 mph four-seamer for a strike — before pitching coach Mike Maddux, manager Bruce Bochy and head trainer Matt Lucero popped out of the dugout to chat with Eovaldi on the mound.

Whatever was said, a decision was made quickly, and Eovaldi left the game. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday in Oakland, and he will continue to be evaluated until then.

Eovaldi said he felt a strain on the pitch to García and thought he would be OK after a couple of warmup pitches. The staff then decided to play it safe and remove him from the game. The plan is for him to travel with the club to Kansas City and proceed with imaging there.

Rookie reliever Jacob Latz took over for Eovaldi, getting a strikeout and a groundout to end the inning, stranding Eovaldi’s inherited runner on first base.

The Rangers already have four starters on the injured list: Max Scherzer, Cody Bradford, Tyler Mahle and Jacob deGrom.

They also have a scheduled doubleheader in Oakland on Wednesday, when they will likely already need a spot starter. It’s unclear how much rest, if any, Eovaldi will need before his next start, but Texas will no doubt be cautious with its ace regardless of the schedule.

“It’s early in the year, right?” Eovaldi said. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re cautious with it and see how it feels tomorrow. It is very early in the year and again, the rotation, everybody’s firing on all cylinders right now. The bullpen is doing well. So we’ll just play it by ear.”

Before he left the game, it was vintage Eovaldi though. He allowed just two hits — doubles from García and Abrams — and two walks while striking out eight. He said he had a good feel for all of his pitches, especially the splitter and curveball, as he looked well on his way to another quality start.

“He kind of messes with your timing a little bit every once in a while,” said Nats outfielder Jesse Winker. “He seems to do that at a time you’re least expecting it. He’s the definition of a true vet, it seems. He just really knows how to get outs and make really quality pitches. Hats off to him, it was a good outing by him.

“For a lefty [batter] at least, he kind of comes with a little crossfire feel. He’s just a good pitcher, man. He’s just a good pitcher and he knows how to pitch.”

Behind Eovaldi, Texas’ bullpen finished off the win with 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Rangers relievers have not allowed an earned run over their last four games and have a 0.57 ERA in their last 10 games.

The pitching staff as a whole allowed just two runs over the three-game set against the Nationals, with quality starts from Jon Gray and Andrew Heaney, phenomenal bullpen work and another solid start from Eovaldi before the injury.

“You give up two runs in a series, that shows you how impressive they were,” Bochy said. “We’ve faced some good arms, too, so you need your pitching to come through. It started to get contagious out there with them. They all did a great job. That’s where it all starts, on the mound.”