The Texas Rangers breathed a collective sigh of relief this week as two key players avoided what could have been a devastating trip to the injured list. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo returned to the lineup Wednesday, while right-hander Nathan Eovaldi expressed confidence he could make his next start as soon as Sunday.

After watching Nimmo hobble off the base path Tuesday night—his left foot rolling awkwardly as he tried to leg out an infield hit—manager Skip Schumaker wasn't optimistic about having him available for the series finale against Arizona. But Nimmo arrived at Globe Life Field early Wednesday, put his ankle through a battery of tests including outfield drills and base running, and passed with flying colors.

"Hopefully another bullet dodged with two big-time players for us," Schumaker said. "So far, so good."

The news was equally encouraging on the pitching front. Eovaldi, who had been scratched from his Monday start due to left side soreness, threw a bullpen session Wednesday after an MRI revealed no structural damage. The right-hander, who had won consecutive starts against the Yankees before the scare, compared the discomfort to minor issues he's experienced during spring training.

"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."

For a Rangers team trying to jump-start their season during a favorable stretch against sub-.500 opponents, keeping both Nimmo—one of their most productive hitters—and their ace healthy is crucial. While Nimmo may not be at 100 percent, Schumaker noted that "it's tough to fake an ankle injury," and having him in the lineup provides a significant boost.

As the Rangers prepare for their upcoming series in Houston, the potential return of both players offers a much-needed sense of stability. For fans and fantasy owners alike, seeing these two key contributors avoid serious injury is the best kind of news in a long season.