Texas Rangers Young Star’s Season Ends Early, But His Future Still Burns Bright
The Texas Rangers’ season has taken an emotional hit. Just as the team fights to secure a playoff spot, one of its most exciting young stars has been forced to shut things down. Evan Carter, the 23-year-old outfielder who quickly became a fan favorite in Arlington, saw his 2025 campaign officially come to an end when the club placed him on the 60-day injured list with a fractured right wrist.
The moment came suddenly. On August 21 in Kansas City, Carter stepped into the box against Royals pitcher Daniel Lynch IV. A 94.1 mph sinker ran inside and caught him squarely on the wrist. At first, Carter tried to grit it out — staying in to run the bases and even take the field defensively. But by the next inning, the pain was unbearable. He couldn’t throw, and deep down he knew what it meant. Eight days later, the team made it official: Carter’s season was over.
For the young outfielder, the frustration is real.
“It’s really frustrating,” Carter said. “I felt like I was having a solid year. I was happy with the way I was playing, and I felt like I was contributing. I wanted to finish out the rest of the year with the team, especially in a playoff push. Nobody wants to be sitting on the sideline. I want to play. I want to help.”
A Career Interrupted by Injuries
This is not the first time injuries have stopped Carter’s rise. He burst onto the scene in September 2023, just in time to play a key role in the Rangers’ magical postseason run that ended with a World Series championship. Fans quickly fell in love with his patience at the plate, smooth swing, and fearless defense. Many pegged him as the franchise’s next homegrown star.
But since then, staying on the field has been the challenge. Carter played just 45 games in 2024 due to recurring back problems. Then came 2025, which opened with him at Triple-A Round Rock before injuries again interrupted his flow: first a quad strain in May, then another flare-up of back spasms in August. Just when he was finding his rhythm again, disaster struck with the broken wrist.
For a player who has appeared in only 402 professional games since being drafted in 2020, every lost stretch stings. Still, Carter isn’t wallowing in frustration. He views each setback as part of the process.
“This is the first broken bone I’ve ever had,” Carter explained. “It’s different than just wear-and-tear. You can’t control getting hit by an up-and-in fastball. What you can control is how you respond, how you recover. That’s what I’m focused on.”
Signs of What Could Have Been
What makes this injury even tougher to swallow is how well Carter was playing before it happened. In the eight games between his back spasms and the fractured wrist, he was locked in at the plate, slashing .308/.419/.462. He was hitting lefties with more confidence, punishing righties as usual, and proving he could be more than just a platoon player.
Had he stayed healthy, there’s little doubt Carter would have been a difference-maker down the stretch. His patient approach lengthens lineups. His speed and instincts create havoc on the bases. And his defensive range in the outfield gives the Rangers an anchor in a crucial spot. Losing that versatility now, in September, is no small thing.
What It Means for the Rangers
The timing couldn’t be worse. Texas is neck-and-neck in the American League Wild Card race, and every game feels like October. For manager Bruce Bochy, Carter’s absence limits flexibility, particularly against tough right-handed pitching. The Rangers have depth, but Carter’s combination of on-base skills and clutch hitting was beginning to give the offense another spark behind its veteran sluggers.
Still, within the organization, there’s a strong belief that this is just a detour, not a derailment. Carter’s ceiling remains sky-high, and his mentality continues to impress coaches and teammates alike.
The Future Burns Bright
Even as he heals, Carter is choosing optimism. He knows that every inning lost now can be fuel for the future.
“I was happy with how I played this year,” Carter said. “I know the more I play, the better I’ll get. If this year is something I can build on next season, then I’ll be happy. I feel like I was helping the team win — and I know I can keep doing that.”
For the Rangers, that hope is enough. Yes, his season is done. Yes, the sting of watching from the dugout is real. But fans can take solace in knowing this: when Carter is healthy, he is the kind of player who can transform a lineup, carry a franchise, and become the next face of Texas baseball.
