Outfielder Brandon Nimmo was back in the Texas Rangers’ lineup Wednesday, and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi said he could start as soon as Sunday.
ARLINGTON — After watching Brandon Nimmo hobble in real time and again on video, Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker didn’t expect to have Nimmo available for the series finale against Arizona. But there he was, back in the starting lineup.
The Rangers might have Nathan Eovaldi available this weekend for the series finale at Houston.
As of Wednesday afternoon, it appeared that the Rangers had avoided losing two key players to the injured list as they attempt to jump-start their season during a long stretch of games against teams with losing records.
“Hopefully another bullet dodged with two big-time players for us,” Schumaker said. “So far, so good.”
Eovaldi was coming off of consecutive wins against the Yankees but had to be scratched from his start Monday night after he complained of soreness in his left side. An MRI exam showed no structural damage, and he threw a bullpen session Wednesday at Globe Life Field.
He said the soreness was similar to what he experienced in the past during spring training, and a few days off was the cure. The discomfort first surfaced Sunday as he played catch.
“It was very minor, but you just want to make sure that we didn’t let it turn into something big,” Eovaldi said. “I had experience with something like that before. And you try to be smart, especially with where we are now. If it was later in the year, I probably would try to not say anything.”
Nimmo was trying to leg out an infield hit Tuesday night, and his left foot hit first base awkwardly and rolled. He hobbled past the bad but stayed in the game until Schumaker removed him.
Nimmo, one of the Rangers’ best hitters this season, arrived at the ballpark early Wednesday to test the ankle with outfield drills and base running, and passed. He might not be 100 percent but is good enough to play, Schumaker said.
“It’s tough to fake an ankle injury,” Schumaker said.
The Rangers have four relievers and two position players on the IL, chief among them left fielder Wyatt Langford. He hopes to begin swinging a bat on the Rangers’ upcoming road trip, which starts Friday at Houston.
Thursday marks two weeks since he had a setback during a rehab game in Arizona.
Second baseman Josh Smith (right glute, left wrist) should beat Langford back from the IL. The closest pitcher to returning is Chris Martin, who struggled Tuesday with his splitter during a rehab appearance with Triple A Round Rock. He surrendered four runs and two home runs while recording only two outs.
His shoulder, though, feels healthy.
“Physically, I’m good,” he said. “I might need a shrink.”
Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com
