Tyler

Mahle

Mahle has been shut down since mid-June due to soreness in his right shoulder. He’s not eligible to return from the injured list until mid-August, so the Rangers will take a cautious approach as they build him back up.

It’s merely a procedural move as Mahle is expected to be sidelined until some point in August as he recovers from a rotator cuff strain in his right shoulder. The 30-year-old has managed to avoid surgery and is expected to make it back at some point later this season in the second half.

Mahle will be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks and has not been recommended for surgery. The 30-year-old righty hit the injured list earlier this month with shoulder soreness and won’t make it back to Texas’ rotation until after the trade deadline in late July, according to Young. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect him back until sometime in August considering he’ll need a few rehab outings to build up his pitch count and stamina before returning.

Mahle hits the shelf, as expected, ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the White Sox. No word yet on exactly how much time the 30-year-old righty figures to miss. His absence opens the door for Kumar Rocker to return to the big leagues and take his rotation spot.

Mahle will not only miss Sunday’s battle against Chicago, but is likely to be placed on the 15-day injured list. Kumar Rocker will take Mahle’s place in the rotation, and Mahle will likely not be back until around the All-Star break at the earliest.

Kumar Rocker has met up with the Rangers in Arlington and would be an option to start for the Rangers on Sunday in the event that Mahle is unable to give it a go. The team could also decide to roll with Kumar on Sunday anyways and give Mahle a couple of extra days to allow the soreness to subside. Stay tuned.

The 30-year-old right-hander punched out three batters on the evening while allowing one base on balls. This game was actually a scoreless pitcher’s duel heading into the fourth inning before the offenses perked up. Mahle surrendered two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth and then served up a solo homer to Matt Wallner in the sixth inning. Fortunately for him, the Rangers piled on 10 runs in those three frames to deliver a victory. Mahle generated 11 swings and misses on 91 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 30 percent. He’ll carry a 2.34 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 56/27 K/BB ratio (77 innings) into a premium matchup against the White Sox on Sunday.

Mahle struck out five batters on the evening while issuing a pair of walks. It’s just the second time in 13 starts on the season that Mahle has allowed more than two runs. He had allowed just one — a solo shot by Kameron Misner in the second inning — through his first five frames, but the wheels fell off for him in the sixth as Mahle allowed three straight batters to reach with one out and exited with the bases loaded. Unfortunately for he and for fantasy managers, all three inherited runners ultimately scored. The 30-year-old hurler got 13 whiffs on 85 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 28 percent. He’ll look to bounce back as he brings a 2.02 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a 53/26 K/BB ratio (71 1/3 innings) into Sunday’s showdown against the Nationals in Washington.

Eovaldi left Tuesday’s start against the Blue Jays after only two innings due to right triceps fatigue, so the move certainly makes sense. The Rangers have an off day on Monday, so the rest of their rotation will remain on regular rest until the club decides when and where to slot Eovaldi back in. He had been lined up for two starts next week, now that assignment will go to Tyler Mahle.

Mahle pitched well enough to win on most nights. However, this Rangers’ offense is stuck in the mud. While their starting pitchers have allowed three runs or fewer in 19 straight games, none have earned a win since May 17. Coincidentally, that last win came from Mahle who’s still having an excellent season. His fastball forced seven swings-and-misses in this one, working mostly high in the zone as his splitter played off it beautifully ducking down low. He now has a 1.64 ERA and is scheduled to face the Rays on the road next time out.