Rangers Evan Carter Has Hip Surgery and Will Miss 2027 Season Start
Texas Rangers centre fielder Evan Carter has undergone right hip surgery and is unlikely to be fit for the start of the 2027 Major League Baseball season. The Rangers’ president of baseball operations, Chris Young, confirmed the surgery on Monday.
Young said Carter underwent arthroscopic surgery last week. Dr William Robertson addressed a labral issue and hip impingement during the procedure. The 24-year-old is expected to require around six months to recover, although the Rangers remain hopeful he will feature for most of next season.
Young believes the injury may have affected Carter throughout the 2026 campaign, despite the outfielder appearing in 141 games and making all 112 of his defensive starts in centre field. Carter finished the season with a .194 batting average, nine home runs, 40 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.
Evan Carter hip surgery: how the injury was found
The Rangers initially believed Carter’s discomfort was muscular following his end-of-season physical. Further examinations and consultations with two specialists led to the decision to operate. That sequence explains why a player who appeared in most games still needed surgery in the off-season: the problem was not clear from the first check, and specialist review changed the diagnosis.
Young said Carter is expected to make a full recovery, but will focus on rehabilitation rather than regular training during the off-season. He said the club’s doctors anticipate a full recovery, but the coming months will be an off-season of rehabbing versus an off-season of training for next season.
A six-month recovery from surgery last week points to a return around April or May 2027, depending on how rehabilitation progresses. That timeline fits Young’s statement that Carter is unlikely to be fit for the start of the season, while still leaving most of the season available if recovery stays on track. It does not guarantee a return date, and setbacks in rehabilitation could push it back.
A career interrupted by injuries
Carter enjoyed an impressive debut in 2023, helping Texas secure its first World Series championship. He batted .306 with five home runs and 12 RBIs in 23 regular-season appearances before hitting .300 during the postseason. That debut set high expectations for a young centre fielder with speed, discipline at the plate and range in the field.
Injuries have restricted his involvement over the past two seasons, with back problems, a quadriceps strain and a fractured wrist disrupting his progress. The hip problem now joins that list, and it may help explain a difficult 2026 season at the plate. A .194 average, with nine home runs in 141 games, sits well below the standard Carter set in his short debut season.
For the Rangers, the question is not only when Carter returns, but what level he returns at. Hip surgery for a labral issue and impingement can restore movement and reduce pain, but a centre fielder relies on sprint speed, change of direction and diving range. Rehabilitation will test those qualities before the club can judge whether Carter can resume regular centre field duty, or whether his role needs to change at first.
The wider baseball picture also matters. Centre field is a demanding position, and teams rarely rush a young player back from hip surgery. A cautious return, even if it costs the first weeks of 2027, protects a longer career. The Rangers’ message so far points in that direction: full recovery first, most of the season second, opening day not a target.
Carter’s case follows a busy period for sports surgery news, including managerial changes in English football, as reported here: West Ham Sack Nuno Espirito Santo After Poor Start. The common thread is timing: clubs are making hard calls in the off-season, when a delay now can protect the months that follow.
What happens next
Carter will spend the off-season in rehabilitation, with progress checks guiding any return date. The Rangers have not named a replacement centre fielder or a revised opening-day lineup, and no return date has been set beyond the six-month recovery estimate.
The injury news comes in a busy sports week that also saw West Ham sack Nuno, the AFC Asian Cup postponed to December, Harry Kane‘s Champions League dream, and Glenn Maxwell‘s international retirement.
Frequently asked questions
What surgery did Evan Carter have?
He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip, treating a labral issue and hip impingement.
How long will Evan Carter be out?
He is expected to require around six months to recover, and is unlikely to be fit for the start of the 2027 season.
Who confirmed the surgery?
Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young confirmed the surgery on Monday.
What were Evan Carter’s 2026 season numbers?
He finished with a .194 batting average, nine home runs, 40 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 141 games.
What did Carter achieve in 2023?
He helped Texas win its first World Series championship, batting .306 in the regular season and .300 in the postseason.
