Texas Rangers made a roster move ahead of their weekend series against the San Diego Padres, reinstating promising young outfielder Evan Carter from the bereavement list prior to Friday’s series opener. In a corresponding move, the team designated veteran outfielder Billy McKinney for assignment.
Carter returned to the starting lineup immediately upon activation, taking his usual spot in center field and batting fifth in the order. The 22-year-old had been placed on the bereavement list ahead of Tuesday’s matchup with the Baltimore Orioles to tend to a personal matter, and he also missed Monday’s contest. His last appearance before the leave came on Sunday in Seattle, where he had a standout performance, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and two stolen bases.
Despite the brief time away, Carter has continued to impress during his stint with the big league club. Through 32 games this season, he’s batting a strong .283 while tallying four home runs, 11 runs batted in, and eight stolen bases—showcasing both speed and pop in his bat as one of the Rangers’ more exciting young talents.
As for McKinney, the Rangers now have seven days to either trade him, release him, or pass him through waivers in hopes of sending him outright to the minor leagues. The 29-year-old outfielder was added to the active roster earlier this week when Carter was placed on the bereavement list, and he appeared in two games, going 1-for-7 with a walk during his brief stint. McKinney had been playing with Triple-A Round Rock prior to his call-up.
