Evan Carter DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

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.

Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) underwent an ablation procedure on his back last week and has started a hitting progression. Carter managed to play in only 45 games in 2024 due to a lower-back stress reaction. The Rangers are hoping that his recent procedure will clear the way for the 22-year-old to put his back injury in the rearview mirror as he prepares for spring training early in 2025. If healthy next year, the former second-round selection in 2020 should have a big role in the Rangers' outfield, at least on the strong side of a platoon against right-handed pitching. In his 45 games (162 trips to the plate) this year, he slashed a weak .188/.272/.361 with five home runs, 15 RBI and 23 runs scored. However, with better health, could bounce back nicely and become a nice late-round value pick in fantasy drafts. We'll continue to keep an eye on his progress this offseason.

Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) could miss the rest of the regular season, according to general manager Chris Young. Things have been pointing in this direction for Carter, and he was recently moved from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL, meaning that he won't be able to return until at least September. There may not be much to play for for the defending World Series champions by then. The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has been on the shelf since late May with a lumbar sprain in his back and he recently had a setback, prompting the team to shut him down from baseball activities. Carter's extended absence late into the second half of the season should assure Leody Taveras of regular playing time to close out the year. Before getting hurt, Carter was disappointing with a .188/.272/.361 slash line with five homers in 144 at-bats in just his second year in the big leagues.