Injuries & Moves: Carter (lower back) to get second opinion
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July 26: OF Evan Carter (lower back soreness) shut down from baseball activities, to get second opinion
Carter was set to visit a specialist in California for a second opinion on his lower back soreness, manager Bruce Bochy said on Friday. The 21-year-old Carter will be shut down from baseball activities until this appointment, after which the Rangers will reassess Carter's condition and map out next steps for his recovery.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
OF Evan Carter (lower back soreness)
Expected return: TBD
Carter was scheduled to visit a back specialist in California for a second opinion on his lower back, manager Bruce Bochy said on June 26. The 21-year-old Carter will be shut down from any baseball activities until he visits the doctor, after which the Rangers will decide on his status going forward.
“He’s just not coming along like we were hoping,” Bochy said.
Carter missed seven games from May 11-17 with back soreness, but he initially returned without an IL stint. The Rangers then placed Carter on the injured list on May 28. While a return looked possible when he rejoined the club around the All-Star break and ramped up activities, Carter hasn’t felt healthy enough for a rehab stint, which prompted the shutdown.
Carter missed time in the Minors with a stress fracture in his back in 2021, so the Rangers have been cautious with him (Last updated: July 26)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Tyler Mahle (right UCL repair surgery)
Expected return: Late July
Mahle pitched four innings with Double-A Frisco on June 25, allowing three runs on three hits with three strikeouts. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said the right-handed Mahle felt good after that outing, and he is scheduled to start July 31 for Triple-A Round Rock as he inches closer to a Major League return.
Mahle underwent Tommy John surgery when he was with the Twins in May 2023, and the Rangers signed him to a two-year, $22 million deal this offseason. The injury ruined a promising 2023 season with Minnesota, as Mahle posted a 3.16 ERA with 28 strikeouts over five starts. Mahle was officially moved to the 60-day IL at the start of the regular season. (Last updated: July 26)
RHP Jacob deGrom (right UCL repair surgery)
Expected return: After the Trade Deadline
Manager Bruce Bochy said that deGrom is “getting close” to facing hitters. He threw another bullpen of around 40-45 pitches on July 23, and will throw another on July 26 while the team is on the road in Toronto. He’ll have approximately three more live BP sessions afterward before going out on rehab shortly after the Trade Deadline.
“He looked good,” Bochy said. “It’s pretty cool to watch how effortless it is, hitting 94 or 95 mph. It was a light day for him too. He had three 'ups' there. He’s so good with his command and everything. It’s just an artist at work and a lot of good stuff from him.”
General manager Chris Young pointed out that timelines are fluid regarding injuries, but he also said deGrom is progressing well in rehab with an eye on returning around August.
deGrom was officially transferred to the 60-day injured list on March 22. (Last updated: July 23)
3B Josh Jung (right wrist fracture)
Expected return: Early August
After being shut down before the All-Star break, Jung rejoined the club and began swinging. He took batting practice on the field with the hitting coaches on July 21, both by hand and with the machine. He’s scheduled to face live pitching on July 23 with an eye on another rehab assignment over the July 26-28 weekend.
This followed a stretch in which Jung went 4-for-17 with five strikeouts in four rehab games with Triple-A Round Rock, but was shut down with tendon inflammation above his surgery site. It initially appeared that his return was imminent, but the continued soreness delayed his swing tests and eventually led to the shutdown.
Jung was hit by a pitch on his right hand on April 1 as he swung at the ball. Rangers general manager Chris Young said Jung had surgery on April 2, but when the surgeon went in for the procedure, Jung's wrist revealed a bit more extensive damage than they were hoping. Jung was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 8. (Last updated: July 22)
LHP Cody Bradford (lower back strain/stress fracture on rib)
Expected return: Late July
Bradford began a rehab assignment with the Rangers’ Arizona Complex League team on July 19.
Bradford began throwing off a mound after arriving at the Rangers' complex in Arizona the last week of June in an effort to build up to a return after the All-Star break. He will likely return as a reliever instead of a starter when he is activated.
He originally landed on the injured list with a lower back strain after he was unable to throw a bullpen between starts. The initial plan was for him to miss the minimum 15 days, but after further evaluations, doctors found a “very small” stress fracture on the 12th rib on the right side, according to manager Bruce Bochy. There is still no firm timeline, but Bradford believes he’s well on his way back to the mound.
The 26-year-old lefty had been Texas' best starter on the young season, having gone 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA over his first three starts. (Last updated: July 19)
RHP Cole Winn (right shoulder sprain)
Expected return: TBD
The Rangers announced on June 23 that Winn would go to the Major League 15-day IL with right shoulder discomfort, retroactive to June 18. Winn was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on June 18, but informed the club that he was experiencing shoulder discomfort after he rejoined the Express. Team doctors then determined that he had a right shoulder sprain, and he was moved to the 60-day IL on June 26.
His last outing before the injury was with the big league club, so his option is now voided. (Last updated: June 26)
RHP Austin Pruitt (right knee medial meniscus injury)
Expected return: TBD
In another blow to the Rangers' bullpen depth, Pruitt landed on the injured list after being evaluated at the beginning of the club’s nine-game homestand that started on April 23. He has posted a 12.46 ERA across four relief appearances for Texas this season.
Pruitt was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 21. (Last updated: May 21)
RHP Carson Coleman (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: TBD
Coleman was selected by the Rangers in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft from the Yankees. He did not pitch in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. In 2022, Coleman was named the Eastern League “Reliever of the Year” after going 2-3 with 15 saves and a 2.86 ERA across 35 relief appearances for Double-A Somerset. (Last updated: March 9)