Kudos to the Texas Rangers for stepping up and doing the right thing for Nathan Eovaldi. The former Boston Red Sox pitcher will get his $100,000 bonus for making the MLB All-Star Game even though he was snubbed when the American League roster was assembled.
“Cool gesture: The Texas Rangers gave starter Nathan Eovaldi the $100,000 All-Star bonus in his contract even though he didn’t make the American League team,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Wednesday.
“Eovaldi has been brilliant this season, posting a 1.58 ERA over 91 innings. He’s one of the most respected players in MLB,” Passan concluded.
Eovaldi missed a month earlier this season with a triceps injury. As a result, he’s six innings shy of qualifying among league leaders for ERA, according to ESPN. Had Eovaldi qualified, his 1.58 ERA would be the best in baseball.
The 35-year-old Eovaldi is a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, most notably in 2018 with the Red Sox.
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No one will forget his performance in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, coming out of the bullpen to throw six innings of relief in a tie ballgame.
Eovaldi took the loss that night, but his performance propelled Boston to winning the World Series in five games.
The right-hander has won his last three starts for the Rangers, giving up just one earned run in 18 2/3 innings heading into the All-Star break.
He’s slated to return to the mound Sunday against the Tigers. Detroit has ace Tarik Skubal lined up to face the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
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Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, leads the majors with a WHIP of 0.83 If Eovaldi had enough innings to qualify, he would be second with a WHIP of 0.85.