PHILADELPHIA — Today on “As The Groin Strains,” Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray is expected to be placed on the injured list, which could hasten Nathan Eovaldi’s return.
Gray acknowledged a Grade 1 muscle strain and left the game after just five innings Tuesday. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list and right-handed relief pitcher Jesus Tinoco was acquired from Triple-A Round Rock. To make way for Tinoco on the 40-man roster, another starting pitcher was placed on the 60-day disabled list. Cody Bradford, who has a stress fracture in his rib, is out until June 10.
For those keeping track at home, the Rangers currently have six starting pitchers on the injured list: Gray, Eovaldi, Bradford, Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom and Tyler Murray.
“The only way to deal with this is to come out strong,” coach Bruce Bochy said. “You can’t even think about injuries. You just have to get stronger and keep going.”
Bochy said the Rangers don’t expect Gray’s injury to last longer than the minimum 15 days.
Eovaldi, meanwhile, said he felt well after pitching the equivalent of two innings in the bullpen on Wednesday and is scheduled to do another bullpen session on Friday in Minnesota.
The Rangers are currently evaluating whether to bring Gray back without playing a rehab game. With Gray on the disabled list, the Rangers again will be without a starting pitcher option on Sunday. Dane Dunning was scheduled to take the mound on Wednesday and Andrew Heaney was scheduled to take the mound on Thursday.
The Rangers have Jose Ureña and Michael Lorenzen listed as starters for the first two games in Minneapolis, but the starter for Sunday’s game has yet to be determined.
Correction, Friday, 12:21 p.m.: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the Rangers have five starting pitchers on the IL. The Rangers now have six pitchers on the IL.
See more Rangers coverage from the Dallas Morning News here:
