Evan Carter has not made the Texas Rangers' opening day roster while top pitching prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker will open the season in the starting rotation.
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young made the formal announcement to reporters before Tuesday afternoon's exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals.
Young also announced that veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar has made the opening day roster, as has utility player Ezequiel Durán.
With Carter headed to Triple-A Round Rock, Leody Taveras and Pillar will man center field until the 22-year-old is ready to return to the big-league club.
The Rangers' decision to send Carter down comes amid his struggles at the plate this spring, particularly against left-handed pitchers. Carter hit .154 with no home runs and 1 RBI in 39 at-bats and was 0 for 9 with six strikeouts against lefties this spring.
As for Leiter and Rocker, 105.3 The Fan's Jared Sandler reports that Leiter will start Friday's game against the Red Sox and Rocker will start Monday against the Reds in Cincinnati.