The Rangers placed right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain, a day after he left his start early in the sixth inning.

The Rangers announced the move, which includes recalling right-hander Yerry Rodriguez from Triple-A Round Rock, ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

“I’ve had hip flexors and groin injuries before, never really one that took me out of the game,” Eovladi said after he was relieved with one out in the sixth in Thursday’s 6-0 win over the Washington Nationals. “It was just that one pitch. I went to throw it, and I felt it.”

Eovaldi, who had thrown 92 pitches, understood that his day was likely near the end. After conferring with manager Bruce Bochy, pitching coach Mike Maddux and trainers, they agreed to play it safe. An MRI on Friday showed enough strain to warrant an IL stint. With Eovaldi likely to miss two starts, the Rangers are almost guaranteed to need two spot starters during their 10-game road trip, including a Thursday doubleheader in Oakland. Bruce Bochy told reporters that it’s safe to assume Jack Leiter could be back up for his second MLB start.