Rangers<\/p>\n
By signing up, you agree to our\u00a0Terms of Service<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n But, he added, there will be times against left-handed pitching that the Rangers will move Langford to center to get a favorable matchup. <\/p>\n And two of the first three games this weekend at Philadelphia<\/a> will come against left-handed starters, which means the primary center fielder might not be in center for opening day. Philadelphia is expected to start lefty Christopher Sanchez on opening day, right-hander Aaron Nola in the second game and lefty Jesus Luzardo on Sunday.<\/p>\n Oh, and it\u2019s not a platoon, either.<\/p>\n Got it? <\/p>\n Yeah, us neither. <\/p>\n It sounds very much like the center field situation, a matter of internal debate all winter over the best deployment of Langford and Carter, will remain a fluid situation for the time being.<\/p>\n And none of this takes into account two issues that have dogged Carter the last two seasons: Injuries<\/a> and ineffectiveness against lefties<\/a>. If either of those crop up again, the discussion may have to be renewed.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Evan is a tremendous center fielder, defensively and can really run it down,\u201d Young said. \u201cIt keeps Brandon [Nimmo] and Wyatt in the corners, and really, we feel like we\u2019ve got the best outfield coverage with that setup. That said, when Wyatt slides over and we have one of [Ezequiel] Duran or [Sam] Haggerty in a corner, we don\u2019t feel like the drop off is that far, but, Evan is a very, very good center fielder.\u201d<\/p>\n Said manager Skip Schumaker: Evan, obviously, is an elite defender, and then we\u2019ll see what happens. As far as how much is it in everyday role? Is it mostly every day; even at times that he doesn\u2019t start, he\u2019s going to come into games? I just hope that for the first time in his career, that he\u2019s going to be in there for 150 games plus games played. That\u2019s really the goal. But I think as far as just watching it with both of them out there at the same time, I think that there\u2019s value in having the elite left fielder and the elite center fielder that they\u2019re comfortable in those positions. And this is really a big outfield so it\u2019s probably the most attractive positioning right now.\u201c <\/p>\n The bottom line is Carter is most comfortable in center field; Langford is comfortable in either place. Defensive metrics are largely incomplete in center on the two given that neither has 60 career starts in center. Though for the short amount of time there, Langford has a slight edge in defensive runs saved. <\/p>\n Twitter\/X: @Evan_P_Grant<\/a><\/p>\n Good to be home: Photos as Rangers return from spring training for exhibition at Globe Life Field<\/p>\n Rangers manager Skip Schumaker had a special message for Baumler during a trip to the mound in Monday\u2019s exhibition.<\/p>\n A pair of Rangers arms are still working their way back to the mound as opening day approaches.<\/p>\n Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GUHFM4HIRZHDPECJYGLAKZ2ZRU.jpg\")
View Gallery![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/TLXCS6JJ5BBFJAUAS3E57HMTFA.jpg\")
<\/a>Watch: Rangers rookie Carter Baumler learns he made the team during midgame mound visit<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/TUWNRKG3GJEZTPDFZZAQMSMRCY.jpg\")
<\/a>Texas Rangers offer injury updates on pitchers Cody Bradford, Jordan Montgomery<\/a><\/p>\n