Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter did not make the Opening Day roster and is being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. Carter made his MLB debut during the 2023 campaign and played a critical role during their World Series run. Across his first 23 games in the majors, Carter posted a strong .306/.413/.645 slash line with four doubles and five home runs. During the postseason, he continued to produce as he held a strong .300/.417/.500 line. However, in 2024, Carter dealt with a lingering back injury, which eventually cut his season short after just 45 contests. During spring training, Carter struggled as he posted an underwhelming .154/.214/.205 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect Carter to compete for an early return to the big leagues, especially if he finds his footing at the top level of the minor leagues. In Texas, Leody Taveras will likely see most of the opportunities in center field to start the season.
Evan Carter, Leody Taveras Could Platoon In Center Field
Texas Rangers outfielders Evan Carter and Leody Taveras could start the year in a platoon in center field, according to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry. Neither player has hit lefties well, but Carter has really struggled, hitting .081/.150/.081 with three total hits against lefties in the big leagues since debuting late in the 2023 season. He has five strikeouts in seven at-bats against southpaws in spring training. The 22-year-old just hasn't had much exposure to high-leverage lefties in the big leagues in only 68 regular-season games played. He also played just 45 games in 2024 due to a back injury that the team is still managing. Carter expects to improve against lefties in time, but the Rangers might just continue avoid having him face them. Between recurring back issues and the fact that he won't play regularly, Carter's fantasy upside is limited in 2025.
Evan Carter Trending Toward Making Opening Day Roster
The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant writes that outfielder Evan Grant's stock is trending up of late as it pertains to potentially making the Opening Day roster out of camp. Grant adds that Carter has eased concerns about tentativeness in his swing during minor-league and Cactus League games this spring. While Leody Taveras may be winning the competition for the center field job, it appears that the 22-year-old should make the Opening Day roster as outfield depth for Texas to begin the year. Carter debuted in the majors late in the 2023 season and looked like a seasoned veteran on the way to helping the Ranger win the World Series that fall. However, the former second-rounder was limited to 45 games in 2024 and eventually needed surgery for a stress reaction in his lower back. He's now merely attempting to bounce back, and because of his struggles against lefties, a best-case scenario (at least early on) is a platoon role for the young outfielder.
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (illness) is back in the starting nine on Saturday afternoon. Carter was unable to play on Friday due to an illness. However, seeing him return to the lineup quickly suggests his absence on Friday was precautionary. Carter flashed high upside as a rookie during the 2023 campaign, posting a .309/.413/.645 slash line with five home runs and three stolen bases. During their World Series run, Carter held a .300/.417/.500 line. However, Carter was limited to just 45 games last season and was eventually shut down due to a back injury. During his limited playing time, he was ineffective as he posted a mere .188 AVG. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during camp as he should return to an everyday role in the Texas starting nine to begin the 2025 campaign.
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (illness) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Friday's contest against the Chicago Cubs. Rangers' manager Bruce Bochy said Carter is dealing with an illness, but he expects him to be back in the lineup on Saturday. Kevin Pillar will take over his spot in center field and bat eighth during Friday's game. Carter is looking to bounce back this season after a rough 2024 campaign. The potential is there, so we'll see if Carter can capitalize on the opportunity this time around.
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) will cover center field and bat at the top of the order on Saturday afternoon when the Rangers face the San Francisco Giants. The 22-year-old was only able to play in 45 contests last season due to a lingering back injury. However, seeing Carter in the starting lineup in their first spring training contest is a positive sign. Across his brief 45-game stint last season, the outfielder posted a disappointing .188/.272/.361 line with five home runs and two stolen bases. However, during his rookie campaign in 2023, Carter posted a stellar .308/.413/.645 line in 23 contests. During their World Series run, Carter held a similar .300/.417/.500 line. When healthy, Carter will likely operate as a center fielder and bat in the top half of the lineup. However, he may be given occasional rest days during the season to ensure he is healthy, which could decrease his fantasy value.
Rangers To Monitor Evan Carter Throughout The Season
The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant writes that the Texas Rangers plan to monitor outfielder Evan Carter's (back) health throughout the 2025 season after he appeared in only 45 games in 2024 due to chronic back issues. "It's personal to me and we're going to keep it that way. I can't change it. It's a part of me now, but we've got a plan," Carter said. The 22-year-old left-handed hitter has had back inflammation each of the last two seasons and could be given regular rest days throughout the season. The Rangers' level of concern isn't very high in spring training, but fantasy managers should have plenty of reservations about his long-term health moving forward. Carter looked great in his big-league debut at the end of the 2023 season and while helping Texas win the World Series that fall, but last year was a lost season. In addition to injury concerns, Carter is going to need to figure out lefties to secure a full-time role.
The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant writes that outfielder Evan Carter (back) is a candidate to hit leadoff for the Texas Rangers in 2025. Second baseman Marcus Semien has been Texas' primary leadoff guy the last two seasons, but his on-base percentage took a big dip in 2024, and the team could bump him down the lineup more often this year. A back injury limited Carter to only 45 games in 2024, but he did post a .413 on-base percentage in his first 23 big-league games in 2023 before helping the Rangers win their first World Series that fall. However the 22-year-old might not even be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign as he works his way back from his back ailment. In addition, the young outfielder's struggles so far against left-handed pitching mean that if he does hit leadoff this year, it will likely only be against right-handers. RotoBaller ranks Carter as the No. 73 fantasy outfielder with spring training right around the corner.
Corey Seager, Evan Carter Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training
According to Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News, Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (hip) and outfielder Evan Carter (back) are expected to be fully healthy heading into spring training. Seager underwent sports hernia surgery during the fall and has been able to perform baseball activities in December. Before cutting his season short, Seager held a strong .278/.353/.512 line with 30 home runs and 21 doubles. Carter was shut down last May due to a back injury. McFarland noted that the young outfielder played through this pain during the early part of the season. His injury hindered his performance as he held an underwhelming .188/.272/.361 line through 46 contests. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their status during spring training, but seeing them progress at this stage of the offseason is a great sign. Both players are key components of the Texas lineup as they hope to return to the postseason in 2025.
Evan Carter Swinging A Bat, Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) has resumed swinging a bat this offseason, according to the team, and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training in mid-February without restrictions. It's excellent news for Carter, who was limited to only 45 games in 2024 due to back issues. The 22-year-old youngster eventually needed an ablation procedure in October to remove tissue from his back, but apparently he's recovered nicely and should be ready for Opening Day in 2025, barring a setback. The former second-round pick in 2020 burst onto the scene in 2023 and hit .306 (19-for-62) with five homers and 12 RBI in 23 regular-season games and was a lineup mainstay during the club's World Series run that fall. He went 27-for-144 (.188) with five homers and 15 RBI in 45 games in 2024 before being shut down. Carter is going to need to improve against lefties in 2025 to keep a regular role.
Evan Carter
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Rangers
