Despite pitching staff suspense, Rangers injury opens easy path for Jon Gray's return

Because this is just how the Texas Rangers season goes in 2025, the team got some excellent news and some horrible news on Sunday night, and both pieces of info will likely impact how and when Jon Gray returns to Globe Life.

First the good news. Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is expected to miss another turn on the IL with a barking back. The Cy Young candidate had his Sunday start pushed back in favor of a bullpen game and the Rangers lost the final tilt in the Detroit Tigers series. However, he threw off flat ground on Sunday and could be back as early as midweek.

Texas Rangers injury shuffle: Jon Gray poised to rejoin staff after bullpen blow

Now the bad news. Reliever Chris Martin exited the Texas Rangers' loss with what was later diagnosed as a calf strain. He's almost certainly headed for a stint on the IL. But his exit and Eovaldi's possible avoidance of sitting out for any real time still provides the perfect on-ramp for the return of Jon Gray.

Gray finished his second rehab start over the weekend and it seems almost certain that he'll be back soon. Like Eovaldi, he could return as soon as this week. As it turns out, Martin being down might be the perfect opportunity.

If there was a reason to have Gray start a third rehab outing, it would be to stretch him out. However, there isn't currently an opening in the rotation, especially with Kumar Rocker pitching much better of late.

With Martin out and the starting pitchers still doing well, Gray at least first rejoining the Rangers as a swing man becomes a real possibility and is in fact, the best outcome in the situation. Especially with the Texas Rangers still trying to fight their way back into the playoff chase.