The Rangers added another starting pitcher to their roster on Tuesday night with the signing of right-hander Nathan Eovaldi to a two-year deal with a player option for the 2025 season.
The financial terms of Eovaldi’s contract have not been disclosed.
“Nathan has quality stuff and an unmatched work ethic, and he’ll provide a veteran presence to the staff,” Chris Young, Texas GM and executive VP, said in a team statement. “The depth of our starting pitching will be a real asset for the 2023 Texas Rangers.”
Texas already landed one of the prizes in the MLB offseason in December with the signing of two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom in early December, as reported by The Dallas Express. The Rangers signed deGrom to a five-year, $185 million contract, and he will be the team’s lead pitcher in the five-man pitching rotation (barring any unforeseen circumstances).
Eovaldi (pronounced ee-VAHL-dee) — AKA “Nitro” — is 32 years old, was born in Houston, and went to high school in Alvin.
“He joins Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan as the only graduate of Alvin (TX) High School to reach the Major Leagues,” the Rangers reported.
Over his 11-year big league career (67-68; 4.16 ERA), Eovaldi has suited up for five teams but pitched for the Red Sox the past five seasons and stitched together a 26-18 record in Boston.
Eovaldi appeared in the postseason for Boston in 2018 and 2021, going 4-3 with a 3.14 ERA in 11 games (six starts). He appeared in three of the Red Sox’s five World Series games during their 2018 title win and has been the Opening Day starter for the last three seasons.
Eovaldi boasts a 2-0 record against the Rangers in Arlington (sporting an ERA of 0.69 in those outings). His lone appearance at Globe Life Field in 2021 saw him yield four hits over six innings with an earned run, two walks, and five strikeouts.
He will join deGrom, fellow offseason acquisition left-hander Andrew Heaney, 2022 Rangers ace and southpaw Martín Pérez, and 2021 free agent signing Jon Gray in the Texas five-man pitching rotation.
Texas also has starters Jake Odorizzi (free agent acquisition this winter after starting 20 games for Houston last season), Dane Dunning, Cole Ragans, and Glenn Otto on staff.
“That’s the goal, winning a World Series,” deGrom said at his first Rangers press conference. “These guys all had that same vision, and it lined up with what I wanted to do. They showed a ton of interest right from the start, and the feelings were mutual. I’m just very happy to be here.”
Spring training for MLB starts mid-February. The Rangers’ first exhibition game is slated for Friday, February 24, at 2:05 p.m. CST at Surprise Stadium against the Royals in Surprise, Arizona.
Opening Day for Texas this season is at home when they host the National League 2022 champions Philadelphia Phillies, on Thursday, March 20, at 3:05 p.m. CT.
