Eovaldi hits IL with groin strain, but Rangers 'optimistic'

KANSAS CITY -- For the fifth time this season, the Rangers’ rotation took a big hit.

Texas ace Nathan Eovaldi was placed on the 15-day injured list ahead of Friday’s opener against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium with a right groin strain he sustained during Thursday’s 6-0 win over the Nationals.

Eovaldi now joins fellow starters Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, Cody Bradford and Tyler Mahle on the IL. But unlike the other four, manager Bruce Bochy and the Rangers are optimistic that Eovaldi will not need such a long recovery time.

“We thought that [putting Eovaldi on the IL] was the best thing to do,” Bochy said. “He could be ready before then, that’s a possibility, but we don’t want to take any chances and will get more information and know exactly where he is at when he gets it looked at again tomorrow.

“He’s feeling pretty good. We’re optimistic this will be a short stint on the IL. We are just making sure we are covering all the bases.”

Bochy also said that the team isn’t expecting Eovaldi to need a rehab assignment when he returns. The 34-year-old righty has gone 2-2 with a 2.61 ERA in seven starts for Texas this season.

Without Eovaldi, and with a doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday in Oakland, the Rangers recalled Yerry Rodríguez from Triple-A Round Rock. Bochy also mentioned José Ure?a, who is with the club, Grant Anderson, Owen White and Jack Leiter as possible starters in case the Rangers are short on arms at any point during the road trip.

Texas is still hoping that Scherzer, who had his rehab start with Double-A Frisco on Tuesday pushed back because of right thumb soreness, could be one of those options, but he has yet to throw off a mound since his delay. Scherzer traveled with the team to Kansas City, but isn’t expected to return to the club during the road trip.

“He will not get on the mound until we get this cleared up,” Bochy said. “It could be tomorrow, it could be two or three days, but he will let us know. And trust me, Max knows his body better than anybody. He said, ‘I’ll let you know when I feel good enough to get back on the mound.’ And we feel like it’s going to be pretty soon.”

Ure?a, who has a 3.60 ERA across 20 innings (16 K’s) this season, has stretched out to 60 pitches and could be the first option the Rangers turn to for length out of the ‘pen, or as a starter, if needed.

Despite the plethora of injuries, including the absence of third baseman Josh Jung and first baseman Justin Foscue, the Rangers entered Friday’s series against the Royals above .500 at 17-15, and winners of two straight series (Reds, Nationals).

“I think it’s one of those things where we’ve done it before, and we know we can do it again as far as not getting caught up with the injuries, adversity and things like that,” Bochy said. “This club doesn’t dwell on that. We just have to keep pushing, and that’s all you can do in this game. You don’t have a choice -- why talk about it? Bradford, it was the same thing with how well he was throwing the ball.

“But we went out and got [Michael] Lorenzen and he’s been a shot in the arm. You just keep playing the game. That’s what we are here to do.”