Nathan Eovaldi DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will start the team's Opening Day game on March 27 against the visiting Boston Red Sox, manager Bruce Bochy announced on Sunday. It will be Eovaldi's fifth career Opening Day nod, and he'll also become the seventh pitcher in Rangers history to make consecutive Opening Day starts. The 35-year-old is not without injury questions, which is why he's ranked just outside RotoBaller's top-50 fantasy starting pitchers. Still, Eovaldi was respectable in his 29 starts for Texas in his second year with the team, going 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA (3.83 FIP), a 1.11 WHIP and 166:42 K:BB in 170 2/3 frames. Even though the two-time All-Star's 170 2/3 innings were his most since 2021, he still missed time with a groin issue and should be counted on for at least one stint on the injured list at some point, especially given his age. Eovaldi has a stable skill set and a decent floor for a back-end fantasy starter.

Free-agent right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and the Texas Rangers are reuniting after agreeing on a three-year, $75 million deal on Tuesday, according to sources. Eovaldi was considered at the top of the middle tier of free-agent arms this winter, and the Rangers will have him back for another three seasons. The 34-year-old veteran landed on the open market after declining a $20 million player option for the 2025 season. The two-time All-Star went 12-8 in 2024 with a 3.80 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 166 strikeouts and 42 walks in 170 2/3 innings over his 29 starts. He's posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 298:89 K:BB in 54 regular-season starts for Texas over the last two years. Injuries have been an issue for Eovaldi in the past, but he stayed healthy for the most part last year and delivered a nice 23.9% strikeout rate. He lacks big strikeout upside and doesn't throw as hard as he did early in his career, but Eovaldi gives fantasy managers a solid floor as a mid-rotation arm.

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News the Texas Rangers remain in contact with free-agent starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. Earlier this offseason, the Rangers expressed interest in bringing back Eovaldi, and this report suggests that this possibility is still in play. The 34-year-old has been with the Rangers for the past two seasons and was a crucial part of their rotation during the 2023 World Series run. This past summer, the right-hander posted a 3.80 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP across 170 2/3 innings of work. Eovaldi generated an excellent 48.9% ground-ball rate and 32.2% chase rate, both well above the average marks. In addition, he also showcased great command with a 6.0% walk rate. With the Rangers lacking depth in their rotation, Eovaldi would be a welcome return for the 2025 season.