Sam

Haggerty

Haggerty will stick around after being a relatively solid bench option for the Rangers in 2025. The 31-year-old can play the outfield and infield and will likely do the same in 2026.

Haggerty will not return this season with the Rangers officially eliminated from postseason contention. The 31-year-old hit the injured list back in mid-August with left ankle inflammation.

Haggerty has been out of action since the middle of August due to inflammation in his ankle. The 31-year-old could return to the Texas roster at this point next week, and he’d likely see time in the outfielder against left-handed pitching.

Haggerty has put together a nice season as a role player with the Rangers, getting plenty of opportunities to face left-handed pitching. The versatile 31-year-old figures to miss at least a couple weeks as he attempts to put a lingering ankle issue to bed.

Carter takes a seat with southpaw Eric Lauer drawing Saturday’s starting assignment for Toronto. He’ll likely continue riding the bench against left-handers over the final few weeks of the season. The 22-year-old former top prospect has gone 3-for-7 with an RBI in a pair of contests since returning from the injured list earlier this week after missing time with back spasms. It’ll be Wyatt Langford covering center field with Sam Haggerty drawing into the lineup.

The speedy 31-year-old outfielder had been shelved since just before the All-Star break due to inflammation in his left ankle. He’ll jump right back into action on Friday night, serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff against Joey Wentz and the Braves.

It’s unclear exactly when or how the injury occurred. Rangers’ skipper Bruce Bochy did note though that Haggerty is expected to be shelved for more than the minimum 10 days. Cody Freeman was promoted from Triple-A Round Rock to take his place on the Rangers’ active roster.

Carter will get a break with left-hander Framber Valdez on the mound for Houston. Sam Haggerty will lead off and play left field against Valdez with Wyatt Langford lined up in center and hitting fifth.

Haggerty stole second and third after walking as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. The go-ahead run came on Haggerty’s chopper to second base. Gary Sánchez caught the relay in plenty of time and held on to the ball for once. He got the out call initially, but replay showed that Evan Carter clearly scored ahead of the tag. Haggerty then stole second before the inning ended. He’s a career 41-for-46 stealing bases in essentially one full year’s worth of plate appearances (587). Unfortunately, that one full year of plate appearances has come spread out over seven major league seasons.

Haggerty has been playing regularly for the Rangers and will likely continue to do so with Jake Burger sidelined and Josh Smith playing more first base. The 31-year-old is slashing .280/.350/.441 with two home runs and five steals on the season. He could be a short-term add in deeper formats.