ARLINGTON -- Time is running out for the Rangers.
Ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Diamondbacks, the Rangers activated third baseman Josh Jung (left calf) and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (right elbow) from the injured list.
And both had a major role to play in the 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Jung went 2-for-5 with an RBI, while Eovaldi allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings of relief in the much-needed victory.
At the conclusion of Saturday’s slate of games, the Rangers now sit two games back of the Astros in the AL West, while also standing two games back of the final AL Wild Card spot. They have 13 left to play.
But they’ll have two key players back for the final push.
Jung, who missed 47 total games, went 3-for-15 with one home run, one double and a pair of RBIs in four games on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock. He made a pair of starts at third base, logging 12 total innings and three errorless chances, including one double play.
Jung hit .294 with an .802 OPS in 92 games this season, ranking among club leaders in multi-hit games (second, 32), doubles (third, 23) and hits (fourth, 104).
“I’m trying to keep my goals small,” Jung said of returning during a playoff push. “I tell myself just move the ball forward and don't try to do too much because the adrenaline is probably going to be the highest that I've had in a while. So, I do everything I can to stay in control. But I'm good. I feel good.”
The biggest moment of the day for Jung was a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning that kept the Rangers' rally alive. He made an immediate impact in the middle of the most important stretch of the season for Texas.
“It's his third at-bat in two months; however, the amount of work he's been doing in between, he had purpose behind each drill,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “It wasn't just trying to get your work in. He was actually going about it the right way because he wanted to hit the ground running.
"He knew where we were going to be in the season when he was going to be activated, and it's a credit to him of how much hard work he put in. We don’t have these soft landings. We're going to play good teams. It was just a credit to him for being ready to play.”
Eovaldi opted to go without a rehab assignment after missing Texas’ last 31 games with elbow inflammation.
“Obviously, with Nate's background and his mentality and the way he feels, he doesn't want to waste too many more pitches on lives and that type of stuff," Schumaker said. “I love where he's at because he feels like he can help the team win right now and doesn't want to waste any more of these rehab assignments or anything else.”
In 22 starts this season, Eovaldi went 10-9 with a 4.21 ERA, 137 strikeouts to 22 walks, ranking among club leaders in wins (tied for first), strikeouts (third), innings (132 2/3, fourth), and starts (22, fourth).
He’s expected to pitch out of the bullpen due to the lack of time required to build up.
“It's not just an arm, it’s Evo, right?” Schumaker said. “That's a whole different arm, and I think that's the exciting part. I think it could provide a potential spark in seeing Evo coming out of the bullpen. Whatever it is, once you see his name on the roster, I think that says something to that clubhouse because of what he means inside of there, so I'll take my chances with him.”
Eovaldi has not come out of the bullpen in any full-time capacity in the regular season since 2019 with Boston, when he was similarly coming back from injury.
The specifics of his role are fluid, though his live batting-practice sessions have each been of two simulated innings a piece.
“I’m just [doing] whatever they need,” Eovaldi said. “Just be ready to go. I feel like anytime you come out of the bullpen, it's to get as many fast outs as possible. That's the plan. They have a pitch count, so just be ready to go the next day if that's what they want. But I don't want to have limits.”