The 2025 season hasn’t gone according to plan for the Texas Rangers. After winning the World Series in 2023, they failed to make the playoffs in 2024, and with a 63-66 record heading into Friday’s game, it looks like they’ll miss the postseason again. To make matters worse, the team got bad news about outfielder Evan Carter’s health.
Carter made a strong debut in 2023, playing a key role in the Rangers’ championship win. But since then, he’s struggled with injuries and has only managed to appear in 108 games over the past two seasons. Manager Bruce Bochy confirmed that Carter’s 2025 season is officially over due to a wrist injury.
Once one of baseball’s most promising prospects, Carter made an immediate impact by hitting .306 with five home runs and 12 RBIs in 23 regular season games, then followed that up with a .300 average in the playoffs. At just 20 years old, he looked like a rising star.
However, his momentum has been derailed by injuries. A back issue limited him to 45 games in 2024, and he began the 2025 season in Triple-A. Though he worked his way back to the majors and posted a .247 average with five homers and 25 RBIs, it wasn’t quite the breakout many had hoped for.
Carter exited Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals early due to wrist pain. Bochy later shared that medical tests revealed a fracture, and with little time left in the season, Carter is unlikely to return.
“They found a fracture, which is tough,” Bochy said on “105.3 The Fan.” “We’re staying optimistic about his recovery. He’s had a rough go, and I really feel for him—this was just a fluke injury.”
Looking ahead, the Rangers hope Carter can reset and come back strong in 2026.
With Carter sidelined—and both Adolis García and Sam Haggerty also dealing with injuries—Texas will need to patch together its outfield. Joc Pederson might shift into the outfield, and Josh Smith could be moved from third base if necessary. It’s not an ideal scenario, especially with a series against the Cleveland Guardians starting Friday night, but the team will have to make adjustments quickly.
