According to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has announced to reporters that starting pitcher Tyler Mahle has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder stiffness. In response, right-hander Jon Gray will be activated.
Mahle, who signed a two-year deal with the Rangers before undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, has only been pitching for two weeks. His three starts have progressively shortened, with his latest outing lasting just three innings, during which he allowed four runs and struck out one batter. The exact timing of his shoulder issues is unclear, but Mahle has struggled with shoulder problems since late in the 2022 season, which has limited his availability.
Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer are set to begin rehab assignments this week, but their effectiveness and durability remain uncertain. The Rangers have several options to fill their rotation, including aces deGrom and Scherzer, as well as Nathan Eovaldi, Gray, and Andrew Heaney. Cody Bradford, Dane Dunning, and potentially Mahle, if his injury isn’t severe, are also available.
While the Rangers have a deep pitching staff, their chances of repeating as World Series champions seem to be fading, as they currently trail the Houston Astros by 11 games and are 12.5 games out of the Wild Card spot.
Looking ahead to the offseason, Scherzer and Heaney will be free agents, and Eovaldi might opt out of his contract. With pitchers in the rotation having injury histories or uncertain potential, the upcoming six weeks will be critical for the Rangers, and the winter could bring significant changes.
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