Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) has ramped up again after rejoining the big-league club around the All-Star break. Carter shagged fly balls on the field on Sunday and is scheduled to take batting practice on the field prior to Tuesday's game against the visiting Chicago White Sox. The 21-year-old top prospect is working his way back from an extended absence due to lower-back soreness, and while he's unlikely return to the Rangers before the end of July, he could get back into game action in the form of a minor-league rehab assignment within the next week or so if all goes well. Although Carter has been one of fantasy's biggest busts this year, batting 27-for-144 (.188) with five home runs, 15 RBI, 23 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 45 outings before getting injured, he still has five-category upside and an everyday role in left field to warrant being stashed in all leagues.
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) has begun to swing a bat, per Texas skipper Bruce Bochy. Carter was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 28 with lower back tightness. Bochy also expressed that the 21-year-old should be expected to face live pitching in the coming days. This injury could have been bothering Carter much longer than fantasy managers could have expected as he struggled through the early part of the season. He held a poor .188/.272/.361 line with five home runs in 45 games. Carter will likely need a lengthy rehab assessment due to how long he has been sidelined. However, when he returns to big league action he should time primarily in left field, which could shift rookie Wyatt Langford to a designated hitter role.
Texas Rangers rookie outfielder Evan Carter (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. The Rangers will basically swap outfielders with Wyatt Langford (hamstring) coming on the injured list on Tuesday. Carter was struggling heavily at the plate, so some time off could be a good idea for him. The 21-year-old was in the middle of an 0-for-21 hitless streak before going down due to back tightness. The assumption is that Langford is going to gain a majority of the playing time.
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter will take a seat on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies with a left-hander on the mound in Ranger Suarez. Carter, who is still only 21 years old, has hit just .205/.293/.394 with five home runs, 15 RBI and 23 runs scored in 40 games in 2024 in his first full season in the big leagues. Against left-handers, he has just three hits in 27 at-bats with one walk and 10 strikeouts. If Carter continues to struggle offensively for the reigning World Series champions, he could find himself on the bench more often than not when a lefty is on the mound. Ezequiel Duran is in left field and is hitting fifth against Suarez on Tuesday. Duran is hitting a strong .286 (24-for-84) on the year but has just four RBI and has yet to clear the fences. He's never faced Suarez in his career.
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) is returning to the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The rookie outfielder missed over a week due to a lower back issue. Luckily, it appears to be behind him and he's ready to play again. Carter has put together an up-and-down season so far in 2024. Fantasy managers who have Carter rostered can get him back in their lineups. Carter will cover left field and bat seventh against the Halos on Sunday.
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that outfielder Evan Carter (back) will be available off the bench on Friday versus the Los Angeles Angels. Carter is dealing with lower-back inflammation and has not played since May 10, but it's a good sign that he's at least available to play later in the series opener against the Angels. The 21-year-old lefty swinger received a cortisone injection in his back on Monday and could be ready to rejoin the starting lineup this weekend on either Saturday or Sunday. After an impressive showing in his rookie season in 2023 while helping the Rangers win their first championship, Carter is struggling in his first full campaign, batting .216/.303/.416 with five homers and 15 RBI in 142 plate appearances. Carter's upside makes him stash-worthy in all leagues, though. Ezequiel Duran is starting in left field again and will bat seventh against Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson.
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) received a cortisone injection in his back on Tuesday and remains out of the starting lineup against the Cleveland Guardians. According to the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant, it seems as though Friday is a realistic date for Carter to return to the lineup. The 21-year-old has not played since last Saturday and was diagnosed with lower-back inflammation after undergoing an MRI exam on Monday. While Carter could miss a few more days, it seems like he has a chance to avoid going on the injured list. Ezequiel Duran is starting in left field again on Tuesday and is batting eighth against Guardians right-hander Ben Lively. Despite hitting just .216 (27-for-125) to begin his first full year in the big leagues, Carter should be held onto in the majority of fantasy leagues as an everyday player when he's healthy.
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) said his MRI exam showed only inflammation in his lower back. He will get a cortisone injection on Tuesday and hopes to return to the lineup in a few days. Ultimately, it's good news for Carter, who hasn't played since last Friday, but fantasy managers may still be without him for a few more days. And if Carter still doesn't feel good by then, the Rangers will surely consider placing him on the injured list. With Carter out on Monday, Ezequiel Duran drew the start in left field and hit eighth in the order, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout to drop his season average to .297 in the 7-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. The 21-year-old Carter is an everyday player when healthy despite hitting just .216 (27-for-125) to begin his first full season in the big leagues. Carter has added five homers, 15 RBI, two steals and 23 runs scored in his first 37 games in 2024.
Evan Carter Undergoing MRI, Not In Monday's Lineup
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) is undergoing an MRI exam on his back on Monday and is not in the team's starting lineup against the visiting Cleveland Guardians. Carter has now missed the last four games due to a lower-back issues. Depending on the results of his MRI exam, the 21-year-old could be forced to go on the injured list. With Carter out of action yet again, Ezequiel Duran is starting in left field and is batting eighth against Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee. Duran is hitting a strong .310 (22-for-71) on the year but doesn't have a homer and will be a low-upside DFS option out of the eight-hole on Monday. Carter, who won a World Series ring in his first year in the big leagues, has five home runs in 125 at-bats in his first full season, but he's also struggling to a .216/.303/.416 slash line.
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. The 21-year-old was scratched from Saturday's lineup with stiffness in his lower back and is still not ready to return. Carter has experienced some growing pains in his rookie season as he is slashing .216/.303/.416 with five home runs, 15 RBI, 23 runs scored and two steals. Robbie Grossman will start in left field and bat sixth in Carter's absence. Grossman is an uninspiring DFS play on Sunday as he is batting .200 with no homers in 75 at-bats in 2024. He has also never recorded a hit at Coors Field in his career.
