ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers will skip All-Star right-hander Nathan Eovaldi for one turn through the rotation as part of a plan to give all their starters some rest.
The decision revealed Sunday by manager Bruce Bochy means Eovaldi won't pitch when the American League West-leading Rangers visit in-state rival and defending World Series champion Houston starting Monday.
Jon Gray will pitch Monday's series opener, and left-hander Andrew Heaney will get the finale Wednesday. Texas hasn't announced who will take Eovaldi's turn Tuesday.
While acknowledging that Eovaldi's velocity was down while throwing six scoreless innings in his most recent start against Tampa Bay, Bochy said that wasn't the only factor in the timing.