Evan Carter will not be making the Texas Rangers' opening day roster, as confirmed by president of baseball operations Chris Young. Instead, the young outfielder will begin the season at Triple-A Round Rock, alongside Dane Dunning, who was recently placed on waivers. Veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar will be on the roster as the Rangers face the Boston Red Sox. Notably, both Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter have secured spots in the Rangers' starting rotation, reflecting the team's focus on youth and pitching depth.

The competition for center field between Carter and Leody Taveras has been intense, with Carter's struggles against left-handed pitching impacting his chances. Carter has recorded six strikeouts in nine at-bats against lefties this spring, adding to concerns about his dependability due to a previous back injury. Meanwhile, Taveras, who has started at center for the past two seasons, had a disappointing offensive performance last season, which could play into the Rangers' decision-making going forward.

The Texas Rangers showcased their offensive power in a spring exhibition against the Kansas City Royals, winning 6-3 at Globe Life Field with the roof open. Marcus Semien set the tone early by launching a leadoff home run, followed by newcomers Jake Burger and Joc Pederson, both contributing to the scoreboard with impressive home runs. The team is fine-tuning its roster as the season approaches, and there's a competitive battle for the center field position among Leody Taveras, Evan Carter, and Kevin Pillar. Manager Bruce Bochy hinted at approaching roster decisions, emphasizing the importance of effective bullpen roles as the Rangers gear up for opening day.

Bruce Bochy is pondering his lineup for the Texas Rangers, hoping to improve upon last year's performance. Wyatt Langford is in line to hit third, while Joc Pederson's presence could shift Adolis García back in the order against right-handers. New addition Jake Burger may find himself batting eighth. The major question is where Evan Carter fits in—potentially seventh, with a chance to lead-off at times. Bochy believes in Carter's potential, despite concerns about his performance against lefties and a nagging back issue. Taveras has shown promise but trading him while he's hot could be a smart move for the Rangers.

Carter's struggles have raised questions about his readiness, especially with his split performance against righties and lefties. His career numbers have been solid against right-handers, but his spring training has been less than stellar, leading to a possible stint in the minors to regain confidence. The Rangers are eager to capitalize on Carter's talent as they aim for a bounce-back season.

The Texas Rangers are experiencing a mixed bag during their spring training, with a significant focus on improving their offense after a disappointing previous season. Despite a lopsided loss to Arizona, the Rangers have shown improved performance against four-seam fastballs, currently hitting .292 in that category, a notable jump from their previous season ranking. Manager Bruce Bochy emphasizes the importance of execution over immediate results. However, the team faces challenges, notably with Adolis García's struggles at the plate, having registered low exit velocities and battling defensive swings.

The race for the center field position is also heating up, with Evan Carter and Leody Taveras both struggling against left-handed pitching. While their batting averages are concerning, the coaching staff recognizes the adjustments Taveras has made. Spring training, characterized by its smaller sample sizes and adjustments, leaves room for optimism but raises questions about the final roster decisions as regular season approaches.

Spring training for the Texas Rangers is off to an encouraging start, with notable performances from key players. Kumar Rocker showed improvement in his command during an unofficial start, while Jacob deGrom dominated Kansas City with two impressive innings in his first outing of the spring. The Rangers secured a 5-3 victory, marking their third win in four days under clear skies.

Kevin Pillar, despite being signed on a minor league contract, has been a pleasant surprise, making significant contributions at the plate and in the field. His ability to provide platoon options is crucial, especially against left-handed pitchers, as the Rangers have struggled historically in that matchup. Meanwhile, Evan Carter and Leody Taveras continue to seek solutions against lefties, which is a critical focus for the team's management.