The Texas Rangers activated infielder Josh Jung and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from the injured list ahead of their matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The roster moves injected immediate energy into a lineup fighting for postseason ground, culminating in a six-run inning and a 6-2 victory.
Stuck in a difficult three-game losing streak that pushed their postseason hopes to the brink, the Texas Rangers broke the glass on their emergency options. With just 13 games left in the regular season, the team welcomed back two of its most impactful figures. Josh Jung returned from a left calf strain that had sidelined him since July 22, while Nathan Eovaldi stepped back onto the active roster after missing five weeks with right posterior elbow inflammation, according to reports from MLB.com.
Josh Jung Makes Immediate Impact in Return to Lineup
Jung’s return immediately transformed the team’s offensive alignment. Before his injury, he was slashing .294/.361/.441, anchoring the middle of the order. Plunked straight into the No. 3 spot in the batting order, Jung delivered a pair of hits, including a crucial two-out single in the sixth inning that drove home a run and sparked a six-run frame.
The activation allowed manager Skip Schumaker to deploy an expected offensive core of Corey Seager, Brandon Nimmo, Wyatt Langford, and Jung for the first time since June 11, marking only the 27th time this season that the group has started together. The ripple effect was palpable throughout the clubhouse. Langford hit a home run from the No. 6 spot, and Ezequiel Duran broke an 0-for-18 skid with a two-run single.
“I need to keep my goals small. I tell myself just move the ball forward and don’t try to do too much because the adrenaline is probably going to be the highest amount I’ve had in a while. So, do everything I can to stay in control.”
Josh Jung, Texas Rangers third baseman
Jung missed 47 total games during his absence, though he managed a brief rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock where he went 3-for-15 with a home run across four games. Schumaker praised the infielder’s preparation, noting that his defensive work at third base and rigorous drills during rehab ensured he could hit the ground running without a soft landing.
Nathan Eovaldi Shifts to Bullpen Role for Stretch Run
On the pitching side, the Rangers opted to bypass a minor league rehab assignment for Eovaldi, choosing instead to build his arm strength through live batting practice sessions capped at roughly 30 pitches on September 8, as noted by Yardbarker. Given the lack of time remaining to build up starter stamina, Eovaldi is slated to pitch out of the bullpen.
The right-hander went 10-9 with a 4.21 ERA and 137 strikeouts across 22 starts this season before landing on the injured list following an August 7 outing against the Baltimore Orioles. His new relief assignment marks his first regular-season bullpen work since 2019 with Boston, when he returned from a similar injury layoff.
In his first relief appearance, Eovaldi delivered 2 2/3 innings of solid work, allowing just one run and helping bridge the gap to reliable closer Jacob Latz to secure the win against Arizona. Schumaker emphasized that Eovaldi’s presence brings an entirely different dynamic to the relief corps.
“It’s not just an arm, it’s Evo, right? That’s a whole different arm, and I think that’s the exciting part. I think it could provide a potential spark in seeing Evo coming out of the bullpen.”
Skip Schumaker, Rangers manager
Roster Shuffling and Postseason Math
To clear roster space for Jung and Eovaldi, the Rangers optioned pitcher Adam Macko and DH/catcher Logan O’Hoppe to Triple-A Round Rock. The moves coincide with expanded September rosters, giving the team maximum flexibility as they hunt down a playoff berth.
Following Saturday’s victory, the Rangers gained ground in both the American League West and wild card races due to losses by Houston and Cleveland. Texas trails by two games in both races with 13 contests remaining on the schedule, though Houston holds the tiebreaker advantage.
