The Texas Rangers have awarded pitcher Nathan Eovaldi a $100,000 All-Star bonus, defying the league’s selection process that overlooked him. Eovaldi, who posted a 1.58 ERA in the first half of the season, was not named to the All-Star Game despite his strong performance. The decision by the Rangers to recognize Eovaldi’s contributions financially highlights the team’s commitment to acknowledging player excellence beyond official selections.
The team’s gesture is seen as a way to support Eovaldi, who has been a key figure in the Rangers’ pitching rotation. Manager Bruce Bochy has praised the team’s decision, noting that Eovaldi’s performance has been instrumental in the team’s success. The bonus is expected to be a morale boost for the pitcher, who had been left out of the All-Star Game, and may serve as a model for other teams to follow in recognizing players’ contributions beyond formal selections.