ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Texas Rangers came into the series with Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi leading the rotation. Eovaldi went on the 15-day injured list Monday with right posterior elbow inflammation. On Thursday, deGrom left after two innings with right triceps fatigue during a 7-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker addressed both after the game.
“The starting pitching has taken a hit,” Schumaker explained. “That is reality with our two guys going down. We’ll see what it looks like, obviously. Jack Leiter threw today, so that’s good news. But it’s never easy when your No. 1 and No. 2 guys are down, but they’re here [with the team]. Evo’s here. And they can still be a voice and still lead in different ways.”
Texas is still waiting on deGrom. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI Friday.
Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi Leave Texas Rangers Short-Handed
deGrom allowed 2 runs on 6 hits Thursday before his night ended. Five of those hits came during a 32-pitch second inning. His velocity was still there. deGrom reached 99 mph, generated 10 whiffs and had all five pitches come in above their season-average velocity, according to Statcast.
The triceps did not feel right.
deGrom said it tightened during the second and would not loosen up. He believed he could continue, but Texas did not send him back out for the third.
“I’m not too concerned,” deGrom said. “Hopefully I’ll make my next [start], we’ll see. Tonight, it just — there in the second it was tight and just didn’t want to loosen up. I haven’t really had that before.”
The right-hander had stayed off the injured list through 22 starts this season. He was 8-7 with a 3.87 ERA before Thursday.
Eovaldi was placed on the injured list retroactive to Aug. 9. He can return Aug. 24.
Texas lost three of four to the Angels and left Anaheim at 60-62. Detroit is a half-game ahead for the final American League Wild Card spot.
Schumaker took responsibility for the series loss afterward.
“We’ve got to fight back, and it starts tomorrow,” Schumaker said.
Jack Leiter Gives Texas Rangers Another Option
Jack Leiter made his first Triple-A rehab start Thursday after being out since late June following right ankle surgery. He can come off the 60-day injured list Aug. 18.
Texas had already started moving pieces around after Eovaldi went down. Cody Bradford worked 7 innings Tuesday in Anaheim. Cal Quantrill took Eovaldi’s turn Wednesday.
Jordan Montgomery is also back after spending much of the season on the 60-day injured list. Thursday was his second appearance since being activated. The Angels scored 4 runs on 6 hits against him in the fifth.
Five relievers covered the final six innings after deGrom left.
Texas also had only 5 hits in the loss. None went for extra bases, and Joc Pederson called it “not good baseball at all on our part.”
The Rangers open a three-game series against the Athletics on Friday in West Sacramento.
Kumar Rocker starts the opener at 4-9 with a 4.46 ERA. Gage Jump is 5-7 with a 4.46 ERA for the Athletics.
First pitch at Sutter Health Park is 8:40 p.m. CT on Rangers Sports Network.
