Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter to start season in minor leagues
The Texas Rangers are making their final roster moves as they prepare to face the Boston Red Sox on Opening Day on Thursday, March 27.
As part of those moves, Rangers President of Baseball Operations Chris Young announced Evan Carter would be sent to Triple-A Round Rock to start the season.
Carter, who has documented struggles against left-handed pitchers, had a rough spring training. He hit .154 with an RBI and two runs while going hitless in 10 at-bats against left-handers, including seven strikeouts.
“We want to get the best version of Evan, and he’s not swinging it at the level we know he’s capable,” Young said. “We think he’s gonna be a big part of our team and we need him to be the best version of himself to help us win. Leody [Taveras] has had a great spring ... and he’s earned the opportunity to be our center fielder right now, Josh Smith the same.”
Dane Dunning, the Rangers Pitcher of the Year in 2021 and 2023, was outrighted by the Rangers and also sent to Round Rock.
“We view Dane as a player who is a championship-caliber player, who helped us win in 2023. The best version of Dane Dunning is good enough to be on our team and be in the rotation. He’s not there right now, our goal is to get him right, and to get him back up to the big leagues,” said Young.
Dunning has the option to refuse the minor league assignment, but would forfeit his $2.66 million salary for the 2025 season. He has not yet decided whether to accept the assignment.
Young also said he expects Patrick Corbin, signed on March 18, to most likely agree to be optioned to Round Rock but would be expected to return to the team by April 11.
Young also announced that Kumar Rocker, Jack Leiter and Ezequiel Duran had all made the opening day roster.
Rocker and Leiter will take the final two spots on the Rangers’ rotation.
“Both of them had really good flashes this spring, think the talent on both is obvious, and they’ve earned the right to be out here and we’re excited to watch him,” said Young.
There was not much surprise for Rocker and Leiter with the injuries to the Rangers’ starting pitchers, both Vanderbilt products seemed likely to make the team.
Young said there were still two spots on the pitching staff that the team was still deciding on, and that they would wait until after Tuesday’s game to finalize their choices.
Kevin Pillar was also announced as a player who made the Opening Day roster.
Opening day injuries
Josh Jung was scratched from Tuesday’s preseason finale against the Kansas City Royals with neck stiffness that was described as non-serious by Young, who also said the third baseman would be ready by Opening Day.
Corey Seager was suffering from a calf injury that the team does think is serious, and similarly to Jun,g they expect him to be ready for Opening Day after sitting out Tuesday’s game.
