Texas Rangers ace Nathan Eovaldi recently underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia, capping off a season that saw both dominance and injury setbacks. The procedure took place in Phoenix, where Eovaldi had been receiving ongoing medical evaluations following a late-season decline in health.
Prior to the hernia diagnosis, Eovaldi had already been shut down for the season due to a strained rotator cuff. The shoulder injury was the main reason the Rangers removed him from the active roster late in the year, ending what had been a remarkable campaign. Encouragingly, scans taken before the hernia surgery showed signs of improvement in his shoulder, offering optimism for a full recovery.
Eovaldi’s 2025 season was arguably one of the best of his career. Over 22 starts, he posted an 11–3 record with a dazzling 1.73 ERA. He also recorded 129 strikeouts against just 21 walks over 130 innings pitched. Despite falling short of the minimum innings required to qualify for the official ERA leaderboard, his numbers placed him among the elite pitchers in Major League Baseball.
At one point during the summer, Eovaldi was a legitimate candidate for the American League Cy Young Award. His dominance on the mound drew attention from across the league. Unfortunately, his shoulder issues surfaced down the stretch, putting an end to that momentum and leaving him sidelined during the most crucial part of the season.
The expected recovery time for the hernia surgery is between six and eight weeks. That timeline would allow Eovaldi to resume his offseason throwing program without significant delay. Some close to the situation believe he could return to light activity even sooner—possibly within four weeks—depending on how he responds to rehabilitation.
Looking ahead, the Rangers are hopeful that Eovaldi will be fully healthy in time for the start of spring training in 2026. Team officials appear confident that both the hernia and shoulder can be managed simultaneously during the offseason, giving him a clear path to return to form.
Over his 14-year MLB career, Eovaldi has built a solid résumé. He owns a 102–84 career record with a 3.89 ERA across 316 appearances, 297 of which have been starts. He’s played for six different teams and has earned two All-Star selections as well as two World Series rings along the way.
With Eovaldi under contract through 2027, his health is a critical factor in the Rangers’ long-term pitching plans. The front office has invested heavily in the veteran right-hander and will be counting on him to lead the rotation for at least the next two seasons.
If Eovaldi can recover fully and maintain the form he showed throughout most of 2025, he will be positioned to once again serve as the Rangers’ ace. His ability to eat innings, limit walks, and generate swings-and-misses is vital for a team with championship aspirations.
While the hernia surgery marks a temporary setback, the broader outlook remains encouraging. With careful rehab and no further complications, Eovaldi is on track to return in 2026 and continue anchoring the Texas rotation in pursuit of more postseason success.
