Texas Rangers Lose Max Scherzer to Injury Early in World Series Game 3 Against Diamondbacks

Texas Rangers ace Max Scherzer left before the start of the fourth inning of Game 3 with back tightness.

The Texas Rangers suffered a big blow in Game 3, as starter Max Scherzer left after three shutout innings with a back injury.

Scherzer was in obvious pain warming up for the fourth inning, and he talked the situation over with manager Bruce Bochy and a trainer. The injury was reported as back tightness by the Rangers.

Scherzer missed more than a month after suffering a shoulder injury in mid-September. He came back ahead of schedule to make two starts in the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros.

Scherzer was hit by a come-backer off the bat of Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas in the second inning, but the Rangers don’t believe that played a part in the injury. The FOX broadcast reported that Scherzer was nearly in tears on the way to the clubhouse.

“Max took a pretty good shot on the elbow – that’s what we were concerned about, but it was his low back that tightened up on him,” Bochy said after the 3-1 win that gave Texas a 2-1 series lead. “He just couldn’t go anymore. … We’ll see where he’s at the next 24 hours and decide where we’re at with him

Scherzer appeared to be getting stronger as his outing went on. He gave up two hits and walked two in three innings with a strikeout, throwing 36 pitches and 21 for strikes.

Scherzer was excited making his fourth all-time World Series start.

Jon Gray, who was a candidate to start Game 4 on Tuesday night, relieved Scherzer. The veteran right-hander was a starter all season before a late-season injury. Gray was not on the active roster for the first two postseason rounds, but was active for the ALCS along with Scherzer.

The Rangers were leading 3-0 when Scherzer exited.

Missed Classic!

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