Rangers Notes: Evan Carter Plays Left Field in Crazy Moment in Anaheim

Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter had not started the previous two games due to matchups against left-handed starting pitching.

So when the Los Angeles Angels started a right-hander on Tuesday night, Carter returned to the lineup. The Rangers had no idea how fortuitous that would be.

In the bottom of the fourth inning Angels hitter Jose Siri faced Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford. Siri slammed a ball to left field so high in the sky that Texas left fielder Wyatt Langford lost sight of it.

Incredibly, Carter did not. Carter ran all the way from his position in center field to back up Langford and make the catch near the warning track in left field.

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— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) August 12, 2026

There have been criticisms of Carter's bat this season. He entered Tuesday's game with a batting average under .200. But there is no debate about his defense. He's emerging as one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball and once the bat turns around, he could be one of the best overall outfielders in the American League.

Cal Quantrill to Start on Wednesday

Texas Rangers pitcher Cal Quantrill throws the baseball to the plate. — Texas Rangers pitcher Cal Quantrill. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The decision to start Cal Quantrill on Wednesday wasn't an unexpected one for the Texas Rangers.

After they placed Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list on Monday, Texas knew it would have to find someone to take his spot in the rotation. Quantrill, who slid back into the bullpen after Cody Bradford returned last week, is back in after missing one turn.

In some ways he's been a godsend for the Rangers. He's taken the ball and eaten innings for Jack Leiter, who had ankle surgery in June. While he’s been beaten up at times, his numbers are solid.

Quantrill is 4-4 with a 3.56 ERA in 24 games, seven of which have been starts. He began the season in Triple-A and was called up in mid-April to be a long reliever. Some of his best numbers this season have been in that role. As a reliever, he’s 3-1 with a .378 ERA. As a starter he is 1-3 with a 3.34 ERA.

He’s been slightly better as a starter, even if his win-loss record doesn’t show it. That’s been his role most of his career, with a terrific 15-5 2022 with Cleveland representing his best campaign.

But he’s been exactly what the Rangers have paid for — a swing starter who can eat innings and do multiple things, much like left-hander Jacob Latz was a season ago.

Quantrill last pitched on Saturday as he threw the ninth inning of a win over Baltimore. He last started against San Francisco on Aug. 3. He took the loss but gave up four hits and one earned run in six innings.

Bullpens in Anaheim

Texas Rangers pitcher Jakob Junis throws a pitch to a hitter. — Texas Rangers pitcher Jakob Junis. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jack Leiter and Jakob Junis both pitched bullpens recently in Anaheim as they attempt to come back from injuries.

Per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News (subscription required), Leiter came out of his bullpen session in good shape, which was the final step before a rehab assignment. Texas has not announced to win that would happen, but given normal rest lighter could join an affiliate later this week. He has been out since he had ankle surgery in June.

Junis also pitched a bullpen per McFarland and will throw another one on Thursday. President of baseball operations Chris Young told 105.3 The Fan that Junis could return next week from the adductor strain that put him on the IL last month.

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