yardbarker
Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter is not expected to be ready for Opening Day 2027, according to Chris Young, the team's president of baseball operations. Young informed reporters on Monday that Carter, who had labrum surgery on his right hip last week, should still play a significant portion of the 2027 campaign, assuming the season begins as scheduled. The update was first reported by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.
The surgery marks another injury hurdle for Carter, who dealt with back issues earlier in his career. However, the 2026 season was relatively healthy for him in terms of avoiding the injured list; he missed only two weeks in mid-June due to a right oblique strain. Carter set new personal bests with 141 games played and 455 plate appearances but endured a difficult year at the plate, slashing .194/.288/.315 with nine home runs.
Among hitters with at least 400 plate appearances, only Cal Raleigh and Matt McLain recorded a lower batting average than Carter. He ranked fifth-worst in slugging percentage and landed in the bottom 15 in on-base percentage, despite a solid 10.3% walk rate. Carter struck out in a quarter of his plate appearances and frequently made weak contact. His struggles against left-handed pitching continued as well: he is a .110 hitter with no extra-base hits against southpaws in 145 major league plate appearances.
Even with a fully healthy Carter, the Rangers would have been in the market for center field help. His injury only makes that need more pressing. Young acknowledged the urgency, stating, "It doesn't change our belief in Evan long term, but it does change our short-term plans that we need to have a backfill (with) somebody who can certainly fill in or play a very solid center field and hopefully contribute offensively."
Key Analysis
One alternative for Texas is to deploy Wyatt Langford in center field. Langford, an above-average runner, has earned plus defensive grades in 523 1/3 career innings at the position. He is considered one of the game's best defensive left fielders and was a Gold Glove finalist in the corner this year. While Langford could handle center field capably, the Rangers would then need to add a corner outfielder to play opposite Brandon Nimmo. Otherwise, they might turn to Alejandro Osuna and Cam Cauley in regular roles.
Even a healthy Carter may not be a long-term solution. Young publicly stressed that the team remains high on the 24-year-old's future, but Carter is a career .215/.307/.368 hitter who, at minimum, requires a right-handed platoon partner. Texas could continue giving top shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott outfield reps, or they might explore a Corey Seager trade this winter.
The free-agent center field class is weak, but options include Luis Robert Jr., Daulton Varsho, Trent Grisham, Tyrone Taylor, Cedric Mullins, and Myles Straw. Robert and Taylor are right-handed bats who could shield Carter from southpaws when he returns. Grisham might be better suited for a corner spot at this stage, though Texas could sign him to play left and use Langford in center. Taylor Ward is another left field option. On the trade market, players like Steven Kwan, Jake McCarthy, Jarren Duran, Colton Cowser, and Dane Myers could be available. Beyond center field, Texas also has needs at catcher, designated hitter/first base, and potentially second base, depending on their plans for Walcott.
Originally reported by yardbarker.