Texas Rangers primary center fielder Evan Carter had right hip surgery last week, Chris Young, the team's president of baseball operations, said Monday. Dr. William Robertson treated a labral issue and hip impingement during an arthroscopic procedure. Carter is not expected to be ready for the scheduled start of next season. Young said the recovery period is likely about six months, but the Rangers expect Carter to play most of next season.
Young said the hip likely affected Carter during the season. Carter played 141 games and made all 112 of his defensive starts in center field, hitting .194 with nine homers, 40 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Young said the team believed Carter's discomfort was muscular during his exit physical. After the soreness continued into the offseason, Carter had more testing and saw two specialists, who recommended surgery.
The labor contract for Major League Baseball expires Dec. 1, and a lockout could follow. Young said that creates uncertainty about spring training and the scheduled start of the 2027 season on March 24. Carter, 24, made his MLB debut in 2023 as part of the Rangers' only World Series championship team. He was called up in September 2023 as an injury fill-in and debuted 10 days after his 21st birthday.