Rangers Stay Steady: Eovaldi Set for Late June Comeback — Bochy Urges Patience with Mahle as Rotation Struggles Deepen

As the Texas Rangers weather a rocky stretch in the heart of the 2025 season, manager Bruce Bochy is keeping his cool and urging fans and analysts alike not to panic. Despite the recent string of losses and a pitching rotation on the ropes, the veteran skipper emphasized that help is on the way — just not immediately.

The most reassuring news came during Bochy’s media availability this week when he confirmed that veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi is on track to return in late June. While Eovaldi’s comeback is widely seen as critical to stabilizing the rotation, Bochy also made it clear that the team will not be rushing fellow injured starter Tyler Mahle back to the mound.

Eovaldi has been out since late May with right forearm tightness, and his absence has coincided with a worrying slide for the defending American League champions. In his starts before the injury, Eovaldi provided a stabilizing force atop the rotation, posting a 3.11 ERA over 11 starts and giving the bullpen valuable breathing room.

Now, with the Rangers slipping in the AL West standings and their rotation looking paper-thin, Eovaldi’s expected return at the end of June can’t come soon enough. Still, the Rangers are choosing caution over urgency, determined to avoid rushing their most dependable arm back into a high-leverage situation.

The Rangers’ starting rotation has taken a beating lately. Ace Jacob deGrom is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and not expected back until later this summer at the earliest. Free-agent addition Tyler Mahle, who was seen as a mid-season reinforcement after undergoing his own Tommy John procedure last year, has also been sidelined.

In the meantime, Texas has been forced to lean heavily on a mix of inexperienced arms and emergency call-ups. Dane Dunning, Cody Bradford, and rookie Jack Leiter have each shown flashes, but none have offered consistent length or command. The team ERA has ballooned in June, and the Rangers have dropped six of their last eight games, putting immense pressure on the offense to compensate.

There has been increasing speculation among fans and media that Mahle, who has reportedly begun throwing simulated games, could be activated sooner than planned to plug the growing hole in the rotation. But Bochy quickly shut that down.

Mahle’s return was always pegged for late July or August, and despite the current rotation strain, the Rangers are sticking to that timetable. His arm strength and command have not yet reached game-ready levels, and Bochy reiterated the importance of building him up carefully through minor-league rehab outings.

While Bochy preaches patience, General Manager Chris Young is reportedly exploring trade options behind the scenes. With the deadline looming in about a month, the Rangers could be active buyers if the rotation continues to falter. A mid-tier veteran rental or a controllable starter could be on the shopping list — especially if Eovaldi’s return doesn’t immediately solidify the staff.

For now, the Rangers are relying on resilience. Eovaldi’s pending return offers a glimmer of relief, but Bochy knows that the next few weeks will be a grind. With the clubhouse feeling the strain and fans growing restless, Texas is trying to hold the line — and not lose sight of the long-term mission.