Texas Rangers primary center fielder Evan Carter underwent right hip surgery and will likely miss the start of the 2027 season. Team president Chris Young confirmed the procedure addressed a labral issue and hip impingement. Carter played through discomfort last season, hitting .194 with nine homers and 17 stolen bases in 141 games.
A likely six-month recovery period looms, though Young expects Carter to play a majority of next season. The timing coincides with a looming lockout when the five-year labor contract expires Dec. 1, creating uncertainty for spring training. Young revealed the team initially thought Carter's soreness was muscular, but further testing led to the surgery recommendation.
Carter, 24, made an impressive MLB debut in 2023, contributing to the Rangers' World Series championship. He hit .306 with five homers in 23 postseason games. Injuries limited him to 108 games over the following two seasons.
A speedy defender, Carter has hit .215 with 24 homers and 92 RBI in 272 big league games. Ezequiel Duran, a Gold Glove utility player, and left fielder Wyatt Langford may share center field duties in his absence. Cintron and pitching coach Dave Bush will not return to the big league staff.
The rest of manager Skip Schumaker's coaching staff is returning.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing