Highly anticipated first-round draft picks Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker have secured spots on the opening day roster for the Texas Rangers as they fill the final two spots in the rotation. Meanwhile, outfielder Evan Carter will begin the season in the minor leagues after battling injuries and a poor batting average this spring.
Rangers’ President of Baseball Operations Chris Young expressed confidence in Carter’s abilities and expects him to contribute significantly to the team later in the season once he gains more playing time and gets his swing back to form.
Both Leiter and Rocker, who made their rookie debuts last season, impressed during spring training, leading the team to give them starting roles at the beginning of the season. Manager Bruce Bochy announced that Leiter will pitch in the second game against Boston, while Rocker is set to start the first road game against Cincinnati.
The Rangers have faced rotation challenges due to various injuries, with Jon Gray breaking his wrist and Cody Bradford experiencing elbow soreness. In light of this, free agent Patrick Corbin signed with the team and will make two minor league starts before joining the big league team on April 11.
Carter, who had a standout postseason in 2023 but struggled with injuries in 2024, is determined to regain his confidence and make a strong comeback. Despite his challenges, Carter has shown immense potential in the past with impressive performances in high-pressure situations.
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