The Texas Rangers placed outfielder Evan Carter on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, the team announced. Infielder Cody Freeman was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to fill the roster spot. Carter leaves a game he started on Friday against the Red Sox with soreness that has now forced him into the IL for the fifth time since his major league debut in September 2023.
Carter’s injury timeline reads like a cautionary tale for young stars. The 23-year-old has played in only 108 of a possible 324 regular-season games from 2024-25. He was on a strong run this season, appearing in 66 of the Rangers’ first 69 games before the latest setback. Oblique injuries often carry long recovery timelines, and there is no clear indication yet on how much time Carter will miss.
Carter’s potential was on full display in 2023 when he hit .306/.413/.645 in 23 games during his rookie call-up. That production continued into the playoffs, where he batted .300/.417/.500 in the World Series. But injuries have since disrupted his trajectory. In 2024, back issues limited him to 45 games and a .188/.272/.361 slash line. His 2025 season showed some improvement, with a .247/.336/.392 line in 63 games, but more injuries again cut into his playing time.
This year’s offensive numbers have been concerning for a player of Carter’s potential. He entered the IL with a .176/.292/.321 line, six home runs and 10 stolen bases in 229 plate appearances. His .209 batting average on balls in play suggests some bad luck, but advanced metrics don’t support optimism. His xBA, xSLG, and xwOBA all rank in the bottom 19th percentile or worse in the majors. Left-handed pitching has been particularly tough on Carter, who is 1 for 27 with 11 strikeouts against them this season.
Michael Helman will start in center field for the Rangers on Saturday against the Red Sox. Helman, the team’s second option at the position, is expected to see most of the playing time while Carter is sidelined. Corner outfielders Wyatt Langford and Brandon Nimmo also have experience in center, but Nimmo has not played there since 2023.
The Rangers will need to monitor Carter’s recovery closely. With a playoff push still in play, his return timing could be crucial. The team has six days to place him on the 60-day IL if the injury lingers beyond the 10-day window.
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