Rangers Name Nathan Eovaldi as Opening Day Starter for 2024

The Texas Rangers have officially named veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi as their Opening Day starter for the 2024 season. This marks Eovaldi’s third consecutive year in this role, as announced by manager Skip Schumaker on Sunday. The Rangers will kick off their season on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 26, 2024.

Eovaldi, who underwent offseason surgery to address a sports hernia, had an impressive 2023 season, achieving a career-best 1.73 ERA over 22 starts. He concluded the season with an 11-3 record while pitching 130 innings. Despite his strong performance, he did not meet the innings requirement to qualify for the Major League Baseball (MLB) ERA leaderboard, which necessitates an average of one inning per team game.

In 2023, the league’s ERA leader was Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who posted a 1.97 ERA, with Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers leading the American League at 2.21. Eovaldi’s stellar performance came to an abrupt halt in late August when he was sidelined with a rotator cuff strain. Following the season, he underwent surgery to address the sports hernia.

Since joining the Rangers in 2023, Eovaldi has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform at a high level, winning at least 11 games each season. Over his 14-year MLB career, he has compiled a record of 102-84 and a 3.84 ERA, representing six different teams. Notably, Eovaldi has also celebrated World Series victories with the Boston Red Sox in 2018 and the Texas Rangers in 2023.

As the Rangers prepare for their season opener, Eovaldi’s experience and proven track record will be pivotal in setting the tone for the team. His return to the mound is highly anticipated by fans and teammates alike, as they look forward to another competitive season in Major League Baseball.

The Associated Press contributed to this report, providing additional context on Eovaldi’s career and performance metrics. With Eovaldi leading the way, the Rangers are eager to build on their recent successes and make a strong impression as the new season begins.