Early returns raise red flags in Nathan Eovaldi’s first two starts

Nathan Eovaldi will always be known as "Big Game Nate" if he never wins another ball game for the Rangers.

The way he has performed on the biggest stage, like the World Series and in other clutch high-leverage situations since he arrived in Arlington in 2023, has made him a fan favorite. He has been an indispensable asset integral to the organization's goal of returning to the highest level of MLB.

That's why his first two starts are the most concerning part of an otherwise terrific start to the 2026 season and the Skip Schumaker era.

Nathan Eovaldi is 0-2 and has the Rangers only losses this season

It's early, but the numbers aren't pretty. Through two starts, Evo has allowed 16 hits, 11 earned runs and three walks in just 8.2 innings. That comes out to an 11.42 ERA and a 2.19 WHIP. He gave up homers to Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers, who may turn out to be great players, but right now are just getting their feet wet in the big leagues.

He has still been using his wide array of five pitches: splitter, cutter, curveball, slider, and 95 mph fastball, but has been loose with the location. As a result, quality offenses like the Phillies and Orioles have been barreling the ball at a rate we aren't use to seeing.

There's a bigger cause for concern than just having a rough start to the year

In Eovaldi's first three years with Texas, there has always been a correlation between having uncharacteristically bad stuff and ending up on the injured list.

Last year, in what was his best bWAR season at 4.4, he was in the running for the Cy Young Award before his season cut short with a right rotator cuff strain. He was later diagnosed with a sports hernia and underwent surgery in October.

In other words, when Eovaldi is fully healthy, he is consistently good, and when he isn't, it's usually because there's a ghost in the machine. Keep an eye on Eovaldi and how pitching coach Jordan Tiegs and Schumaker treat their top-of-the-rotation righty in the next several days and hope that it's just a couple of off days.