ARLINGTON — It begins with baby steps. Or, in Evan Carter’s case, baby sprints.
Carter, the Texas Rangers’ sidelined center fielder, sprinted Wednesday at Globe Life Field for the first time since he was placed on the injured list with a Grade 2 quad strain a week-and-a-half ago.
It’s a significant step for Carter. He’s been able to swing a bat and participated in a live batting practice session Monday, but until Wednesday, he hasn’t ran at full speed. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Carter will likely begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend.
“Good news for him,” Bochy said. “He needs to get out and play and play. He needs some at-bats down there.”
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The exact length of Carter’s rehab assignment, though, remains unclear and will be determined by how Carter handles it. Carter took just 42 at bats in May between Triple-A Round Rock and the Rangers and will have been sidelined for up to two weeks when he does begin his rehab stint.
“He’ll tell us [when he’s ready to return],” Bochy said. “His performance down there, how he’s feeling, all those things. He’ll let us know when he’s ready.”
Carter, 22, slashed .182/.270/.273 in 11 games this season during the time between his big league promotion and the quad injury. He’s played in just 56 of the Rangers’ 219 games — or slightly more than 25% — since the start of last season.
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