Carter (hand) has appeared in three of Triple-A Round Rock's last five games, going 2-for-7 with a solo home run, two walks, two stolen bases and an additional run.
Carter was lifted late in Round Rock's 16-3 loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday, but he was back in the lineup a day later, suggesting that his removal was merely out of an abundance of caution. The 22-year-old is hitting just .138 over 29 at-bats with Round Rock on the season, and he may need an extended stretch of strong production at the dish with the Triple-A club before he receives another look with the Rangers.
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Rangers' Evan Carter: Injures hand at Triple-A
Rotowire
Carter was removed Tuesday in the eighth inning of Triple-A Round Rock's 16-3 loss to Oklahoma City after his hand was struck by a pitch on a bunt attempt, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
The Rangers haven't provided word whether Carter suffered a fracture or is merely dealing with bruising and/or soreness, but even a minor injury would likely be enough to take him out of consideration for a call-up if Wyatt Langford -- who exited Texas' 10-6 loss to the Cubs on Tuesday due to oblique tightness -- requires a stint on the injured list. Even before getting hurt, Carter hadn't gained much momentum in his bid to return to the big leagues; he's gotten off to a 2-for-22 start to the season at Triple-A, though his 7:7 K:BB over 29 plate appearances has been promising.
The Rangers optioned Carter to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Carter missed much of the 2024 campaign with back problems and never got going this spring, slashing .154/.214/.205 with a 15:3 K:BB. The 22-year-old will look to get on track at Round Rock while Leody Taveras handles center-field duties with the Rangers.
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Rangers' Evan Carter: Leapfrogged by Taveras in CF?
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Carter is absent from the lineup for a second straight day in Tuesday's exhibition contest against the Royals.
Teams traditionally use exhibition games in the final week as dress rehearsals for Opening Day, and it was Leody Taveras in center field Monday against righty Michael Wacha and Taveras again in center Tuesday versus lefty Kris Bubic. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy hasn't confirmed who his starting center fielder to open the season will be, but it's looking like Taveras will be the choice over Carter. Carter has hit just .154/.214/.205 with a 15:3 K:BB this spring after missing most of last season with back problems. If Carter does indeed lose out on the starting job, he'll likely begin the season at Triple-A Round Rock so he can play every day.
Rangers' Evan Carter: Faces possible platoon in center
Rotowire
Carter and Leody Taveras could operate as a platoon in center field to start the regular season, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Carter's struggles against left-handed pitching mean he could face righties only, although Taveras isn't much better against southpaws. This spring, Carter has five strikeouts in seven at-bats against left-handers, while Taveras is slashing .154/.214/.154 in 13 at-bats against them. Texas manager Bruce Bochy was bullish about both, noting each have been squaring up the ball better over the last few weeks. Carter was passable against lefties in the minors, but he hasn't had the opportunity to consistently face the high-caliber left-handers that pitch in the majors.
Rangers' Evan Carter: Trending toward making roster
Rotowire
Carter has "eased concerns about tentativeness in his swing" following a good showing in a recent minor-league game and several hard-hit balls during Cactus League play, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Grant writes in his latest Opening Day roster projection that the idea of Carter not making the team "seemed to be gaining momentum," but it appears the young outfielder's stock is trending back up. Carter is slashing only .222/.300/.296 with no home runs in 11 Cactus League games this spring, while his competition for the center-field job, Leody Taveras, is batting .237/.310/.500 with three long balls. Both players appear likely to crack the Opening Day roster, but it's not clear what the playing time split in center field between the two will look like.
Carter (illness) will start in center field and bat third in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers.
Carter was scratched from Friday's lineup due to an illness, but his health seems to have improved ahead of Saturday's game. The 22-year-old is 1-for-7 with a double and two strikeouts across three games so far this spring.
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Rangers' Evan Carter: Scratched from lineup with illness
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Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Carter was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Cubs due to illness, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Carter has "got some crud," per Bochy, but is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday. Kevin Pillar will take his spot in the lineup Friday.
