According to an industry source, the Atlanta Braves are interested in free-agent right-hander Nathan Eovaldi after he declined his $20 million 2025 option to stay with the Texas Rangers. Eovaldi is now looking for a multi-year contract on the open market that will likely exceed an average annual value of at least $20 million. In 29 starts for Texas in 2024, he had a 3.80 ERA in 170 2/3 innings, and his 23.9 percent strikeout rate was his highest mark since 2021. Eovaldi's postseason ledger -- 9-1 with a 2.85 ERA in 12 starts -- stands out with the Braves potentially looking to replace lefty Max Fried, who is also a free agent. Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez and Spencer Schwellenbach are all locked into rotation spots in 2025, with Spencer Strider returning from right-elbow surgery. In addition to Fried, the Braves are likely to lose veteran Charlie Morton.
Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi declined his player option on Monday morning, which will make him a free agent this offseason. President of baseball operations Chris Young said the team still has plenty of interest in bringing Eovaldi back to the starting rotation for next season. In his second season with the Rangers in 2024, Eovaldi went 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA (3.83 FIP) and a 1.11 WHIP with 166 strikeouts and 42 walks in 170 2/3 frames over his 29 starts. The 34-year-old two-time All-Star has a 3.72 ERA (3.86 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with a 298:89 K:BB in his 54 starts in his two seasons in Texas. Eovaldi is a hard-throwing, injury-prone starter that profiles as a risk/reward midrange starter for fantasy managers heading into next season. We'll have a better idea of his fantasy value for next year once we know where he'll be pitching.
Nathan Eovaldi Spins Seven Shutout Innings, Strikes Out 10
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi dominated the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, throwing seven shutout innings in a 2-1 win. Eovaldi was almost untouchable in this one, as he allowed just one hit and two walks while punching out 10. The 34-year-old needed a start like this after surrendering three or more runs in each of his last five starts. Although there have been a few rough stretches, Eovaldi's overall numbers are very solid, as he's pitched to a 3.60 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 138 strikeouts over 140 IP. Fantasy managers should be very happy with that production given the low draft cost, and he should remain a solid starter for the rest of the season.
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (oblique) "feels good" after throwing a bullpen session on Wednesday, and he is set to start on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins. It turns out that Eovaldi won't have to miss a turn through the starting rotation despite suffering a low-grade right-oblique strain in his last outing last Saturday against the New York Yankees, when he gave up three earned runs with two walks and four strikeouts in just three innings for a loss. The 34-year-old veteran has seen a rise in his strikeout rate this year to 24% while going 8-6 with a 3.75 ERA (3.94 FIP), a 1.10 WHIP and a 117:29 K:BB in 120 innings over his 21 starts. However, the two-time All-Star will be a shaky lineup option for fantasy managers in his first start off an injury against one of the better hitting teams in the American League.
Nathan Eovaldi Has Low-Grade Oblique Strain; Next Start Will Be Pushed Back
Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has a low-grade oblique strain, according to MLB insider Jim Bowden. Eovaldi left his start early on August 10 after experiencing some pain on his side. He met with Dr. Keith Meister to determine the severity of his injury, and it appears the right-hander avoided a major injury. Bowden says the two-time All-Star pitcher will have his start pushed back to this weekend when the Rangers face the Minnesota Twins for a four-game series. As a result, it looks like Eovaldi will avoid the injured list. He has a 3.75 ERA and 117 strikeouts across 21 starts this season.
Nathan Eovaldi Leaves Saturday Early With Side Tightness
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (side) left Saturday's game early due to side tightness, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. The 34-year-old was able to record just nine outs before exiting the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader. Across the three innings, Eovaldi struggled as he served up six hits, two free passes, and three runs while striking out four. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Eovaldi's status entering the new week, as he may need to miss a turn through the rotation depending on the severity of the injury. The veteran right-hander currently sits with a 3.75 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 29:117 BB:K ratio through 120 innings of work this season and remains a solid depth option in all leagues.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi put together a big performance in Wednesday's victory versus the Chicago White Sox. Eovaldi tossed seven innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits, two runs, no walks and striking out 10 on the evening. The veteran was coming off a rough start in his last outing versus the Baltimore Orioles, but returned to form in a big way. With his impressive outing, Eovaldi improves to 7-4 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 106 innings. Health is always a concern with the veteran, but as long as he is on the mound, managers should continue to roll with him. Next up for the right-hander will be a date with the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi continued to pitch well on Sunday, tossing seven innings of two-run ball against the Tampa Bay Rays and earning a win in the process. Eovaldi allowed only four hits while walking none and striking out five. The only runs he allowed were a two-run homer given up in the third inning to Jose Caballero. This marks his third start in a row of seven innings and his second quality start in that stretch. He has also given up just five hits and walked none in his last two efforts combined. Eovaldi seems to be more streaky than the average pitcher, but his good stretches can be dominant like what we are seeing now, making him a great fantasy option when he is on.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (groin) has been activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The right-hander is set to take the mound on Tuesday following a three-week absence due to a lingering groin issue. Before going down, Eovaldi was pitching well in the middle of the Rangers rotation. He'll carry a 2.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 44/19 K/BB ratio through seven starts into Tuesday's game. Eovaldi will be on a pitch count in his return on Tuesday, according to manager Bruce Bochy, so he'll have a much lower ceiling in his first game back.
Nathan Eovaldi Throws Another Bullpen, Close To Returning
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (groin) threw another bullpen session ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Although Eovaldi is close to returning to the mound, the club's training staff hasn't decided if he will need a brief minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the major-league action. The hard-throwing 34-year-old is working his way back from a strained right groin, and he appears to have a chance to rejoin Texas' rotation as early as Sunday's series finale against the Twins with the Rangers' pitching staff so shorthanded at the moment. Eovaldi was 2-2 with a sharp 2.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 44:19 K:BB over seven starts (41 1/3 innings) before getting hurt, and his return should come before the end of May if all continues to go well in his recovery in the coming days.