Rangers Scratch Eovaldi; Seager Nearing Return

Sunday, June 21, 2026

The Texas Rangers replaced Nathan Eovaldi with MacKenzie Gore as the starting pitcher for Saturday’s game against the Padres due to Eovaldi’s knee discomfort, with Eovaldi expected to start Sunday’s finale. The move helped stabilize the pitching after early struggles, while key players Corey Seager and Evan Carter show signs of recovery, potentially strengthening the roster in upcoming games.

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers adjusted their pitching roster ahead of Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field, scratching right-hander Nathan Eovaldi due to knee discomfort and inserting left-hander MacKenzie Gore as the starter. Gore, who last pitched on Monday against the Minnesota Twins, delivered six innings while allowing one run to the Padres, the team that originally selected him third overall nine years ago.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker confirmed that Eovaldi is expected to start Sunday’s series finale after the setback. Eovaldi, who has posted a 6.66 ERA over his last four starts, had previously been scratched from a start this season due to side tightness. Schumaker noted that Eovaldi’s condition improved from Friday to Saturday and that the decision to hold him out was based on daily monitoring of his recovery.

Gore volunteered to take the mound on Saturday despite being slated for Sunday’s start, as he was on his regular four days’ rest. His performance on Saturday halted a stretch of four consecutive games in which the Rangers had conceded multiple runs in the first inning.

In other team developments, shortstop Corey Seager continues to progress through concussion protocols following a collision at home plate on June 11 against the Kansas City Royals. Seager underwent a “high-intensity ramp-up” session before Saturday’s game, which manager Schumaker described as potentially the final major hurdle before his return. The 32-year-old has missed eight games since sustaining a mild concussion and has been limited throughout the season due to back inflammation and now the concussion, marking his seventh and eighth stints on the injured list during his tenure with the Rangers.

Additionally, outfielder Evan Carter, sidelined since last Sunday with a right oblique strain, showed promising signs of a quicker-than-expected recovery. Schumaker indicated that Carter might begin batting practice in the coming days, noting his progress as “way ahead of the timeline,” although the manager refrained from setting firm return dates.

The Rangers now face the challenge of managing key players’ health while navigating a competitive stretch, with the hope that Eovaldi and Seager can return to form and contribute soon.