Scouting Report
Updated May 20, 2026
Nathan Eovaldi (36-year-old RHP) was scratched from his Monday start against Arizona due to left side tightness but threw a successful bullpen session Wednesday and is expected to make his next scheduled start Sunday against Houston. Recent performance has been exceptional, including two dominant outings against the Yankees (15 innings, 7 hits, 1 run). Current season record is 4-4 with 4.15 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 8 starts (47.2 innings). MRI exam revealed no structural damage, and manager Skip Schumaker indicated the Rangers avoided a major injury calamity.
Strengths
- + Dominant recent performance against Yankees (two consecutive strong starts)
- + Threw effective bullpen session Wednesday with no issues
- + MRI showed no structural damage
- + Veteran pitcher with experience managing minor injuries
- + Expected to return for next scheduled start Sunday
- + Historical dominance vs Yankees (4 straight starts of 6+ innings with 1 or 0 runs allowed since 2025)
- + Effective curveball usage (31 curveballs in recent start, most since 2019)
- + Team confidence in quick recovery
Weaknesses
- - Age factor (36 years old)
- - History of four separate IL trips in 3+ seasons with Rangers
- - Side/oblique injuries can be unpredictable and finicky
- - Initial concern about potential oblique injury
- - Scratched from start due to injury concern
- - Soreness first surfaced during routine catch on Sunday
Injury Status: day-to-day -- Left side tightness (minor); MRI showed no structural damage; similar to previous spring training soreness; expected to return for Sunday start against Houston Astros
About
Nathan Lavender is a rp for the New York Mets.
Player Overview
RP
New York Mets