Rangers cautiously optimistic García will return this season

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers are placing outfielder Adolis García on the 10-day injured list with a right patellar tendon strain suffered in Wednesday night's loss to the Astros.

In his place, Texas is calling up No. 1 prospect Evan Carter to debut on Friday against Oakland.

In the second inning of the series finale between the two Texas teams, García leapt at the right-field wall in an attempt to rob Michael Brantley of a solo home run. He appeared shaken after slamming into the wall and falling on the ground after the play. After a lengthy conversation with trainer Matt Lucero and associate manager Will Venable, García was removed from the game and replaced with Robbie Grossman.

General manager Chris Young said they are cautiously optimistic that he will be able to return this season, but he'll continue to be evaluated and the timeline remains unclear.

"We won't know that for certain until the next week to 10 days as we kind of see how the healing and inflammation respond, but nonetheless, it was not a rupture -- which we were fearful of," Young said. "I think that was good news, all things considered. We will remain hopeful that we can return. We just don't know what the timeline will be."

The two-time All-Star has struggled of late, with his slash line dropping to .244/.322/.494, but he's been a vital part of the Rangers' success all season long.

Of the Rangers six All-Stars this season, five have now spent time on the injured list: Nathan Eovaldi, Jonah Heim, Corey Seager, Josh Jung and now García. Marcus Semien is the only one to not land on the IL and is the only Texas player to start every game this season.

With utilityman Ezequiel Duran playing most days at third base while Jung continues to recover from a left thumb fracture, it's unclear what the everyday outfield configuration will look like at the corners, while Leody Taveras figures to still get the share of reps in center field.

Carter has played mostly center and left in the Minors, leaving Robbie Grossman (19 games in right field in 2023), Travis Jankowski (eight games) and rookie J.P. Martinez (4 games) to potentially play right field.

"It's another discussion point that we'll have as a staff and really try to put the best defensive team and the best, best lineup we can out there and balance that," Young said.