Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was one of the biggest snubs from the 2025 MLB All-Star team, but a classy gesture from his team may have made the oversight a little less frustrating.
Eovaldi was left off the American League All-Star roster despite having a 7-3 record and 1.58 ERA in 16 starts this season. The only argument against Eovaldi making the team is that he missed some time with an injury, but the Rangers clearly felt the right-hander was robbed.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Eovaldi’s contract includes a $100,000 incentive for being named an All-Star. The Rangers decided to give him the bonus despite him not making the team.
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. Eovaldi has been brilliant this season, posting a 1.58 ERA over 91 innings. He’s one of the most respected players in MLB.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 16, 2025
Eovaldi missed a month from late May through late June because of tightness in his arm. He has not pitched enough innings to qualify for statistical leaderboards, but he has been dominant when on the mound this year.
In 91 innings pitched, Eovaldi has 94 strikeouts and just 14 walks. He has a 0.85 WHIP. The 35-year-old threw a complete-game shutout in his first start of the season and needed only 99 pitches to do so.
Health will always be a concern for Eovaldi, but most people feel his dominance through 16 starts this season was enough to earn a third All-Star nod. The Rangers did the right thing by paying Eovaldi his bonus.
