Rangers News: Nathan Eovaldi's new role, Josh Jung returns, Joc Pederson injury concern

The Texas Rangers are still hanging around the playoff periphery. It's felt like even when the club gets what it needs, it's not enough to build momentum and seize control of a playoff spot. Following Saturday's 6-2 victory, the Rangers sit two games back of the Houston Astros for the AL West crown and two games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final AL wild card spot.

It's worth nothing that Texas's road to October is a tad more complicated due to the fact that the tiebreakers aren't in their favor. The Rangers are 4-9 against the Astros, meaning they are effectively behind Houston by three games, while the same holds true for the Guardians on the basis of division record. Texas is 20-26 against the AL West, while the Guardians are 20-19 against the AL Central.

Fortunately, there are some recent developments that may help the Rangers' charge, but as always, there's a potentially concerning caveat.

The Rangers welcome Nathan Eovaldi back as a reliever

Texas lost Nathan Eovaldi to the IL a little over a month ago due to right posterior elbow inflammation, and it's hard to deny that the club has missed his big-game experience down the stretch. They welcomed him back into the fold as yesterday, but with a twist.

Building Eovaldi back up as a starter would have taken too long for him to legitimately help the team, so the Rangers accelerated his timeline by inserting him into the bullpen. The 36-year-old made his first appearance out of the bullpen since 2019 yesterday and tossed 2 2/3 innings while allowing four hits and an earned run, striking out two in the process.

He's only tossed 30 innings in relief over his career and holds a 4.20 ERA when pitching from the 'pen. Still, the bullpen, particularly in the middle innings, has been an issue, and Eovaldi's ability to throw multiple innings in relief could help smooth over that weakness.

Josh Jung returns to boost the Rangers' lineup

The Rangers' offense had been on the upswing from June 1 through July 21, posting a .759 OPS that ranked ninth in baseball over that span. July 21 was the last game that Josh Jung suited up before succumbing to a calf injury, and in his absence, the lineup immediately cratered.

Jung returned yesterday and immediately provided a spark with a 2-for-5 day, including an RBI and a run scored. More importantly, it marked the first time since June 11 that Jung, Corey Seager, Brandon Nimmo, and Joc Pederson all shared a lineup together.

Seager and Nimmo both had big games also, and so too did the recently ice-cold Wyatt Langford with a double and a home run, making it feel as if the unit can finally reach its full potential.

Injuries have played a major role this season, and Jung's may have been the most significant given that he's been Texas's most consistent hitter when healthy.

Joc Pederson leaves the game after being hit by a pitch, potentially dealing a blow to the Rangers' lineup

Just when it looked like the band was fully back together and ready to make the requisite noise to sneak into the playoffs, the Rangers may have been dealt a significant blow.

Joc Pederson was hit in the hand by a Brandon Pfaadt fastball during Texas's six-run fifth inning, and though he stayed in to run, he was lifted during his next at-bat for pinch-hitter Justin Foscue.

It's unclear what the slugging DH's status is. X-rays came back negative, but Pederson will undergo additional tests to determine if there is cause for concern. If he has to miss time due to injury, it will be a big blow. Justin Foscue can handle DH duty against lefties, but with a .525 OPS against righties, he's not a full-time solution.

The Rangers would likely cycle the DH spot through veterans like Seager, Nimmo, and even Langford, in an attempt to keep them healthy and fresh. While that is a good thing, losing a potent power bat from the left side is the last thing that they need.

For now, all we can do is hold our breath and hope for good news.

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