Texas Rangers Potentially Without Adolis Garcia, Max Scherzer for Rest of World Series

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy updated the injury status of Adolis Garcia and Max Scherzer going into Game 4 of the World Series.

PHOENIX — Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy provided an update on the conditions of right fielder Adolis García and starting pitcher Max Scherzer before Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday.

García was not in the lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Bochy said that the Rangers may have to make a call on whether either player will be moved to the injured list before the game.

“He did try to take some swings and he’s getting treatment,” Bochy said. “(García) has a moderate strain of his oblique. That’s never a good thing.”

The Rangers, who lead the series 2-1, are performing more treatment, but the club may decide to deactivate García if an extra position player is needed.

Adolis Garcia could be lost for the rest of the World Series after suffering an oblique strain in Game 3 / © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With García not in the lineup, designated hitter Mitch Garver will bat third, where García batted in Game 3, while rookie Evan Carter will bat cleanup for the second straight game.

Third baseman Josh Jung will move to fifth, followed by first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and catcher Jonah Heim.

Travis Jankowski will take García’s place in right field and bat ninth. Lowe did not what to comment on García's status. 

“I think how he’s feeling is for someone much higher than me on the totem pole to comment on,” Lowe said. “We’re going to adjust and we’re going to compete.”

García left in the eighth inning Monday night after he appeared to hurt his back during a swing. The injury was characterized it as left side tightness and that the Rangers were optimistic about his availability for Game 4.

His testing reportedly included an MRI.

Garcia was a big part of the 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks, even though he went 0-for-3 with a walk. His throw home in the second inning to cut down Christian Walker at the plate was one of the most talked-about plays of the game.

García was the American League Championship Series MVP and hit the walk-off home run to win Game 1 of the World Series on Friday.

Scherzer, Bochy said, is in the same situation.

“Max is in same boat,” Bochy said. (His back) locked up today. He’s on the table getting looked at and trying to get loosened up, but he’s not feeling well. So again we have to make a call on him whether we’re going to wait a day or two or whether we’re short and need a pitcher.”

Scherzer, the Game 3 starter, left after just three shutout innings with back spasms Monday night. He was feeling back tightness in the third inning and tried to stretch it out before the fourth. It didn’t work.

“My back tightened up and then it went into full spasm,” he said. “In the third inning we were trying everything to kind of stretch it out and try to get going. Went out there to warm up in the fourth and I tried and I was going to hurt it even more and I wasn’t going to be myself, so I think at that point that’s why I came out of the game.”

Scherzer said he’s had back spasms before and should know in 48 hours from Monday’s game what his status will be for the rest of the series.

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