Rangers’ Garcia, Scherzer to miss rest of Series

PHOENIX — Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner who was lined up to pitch a potential Game 7, and Adolis Garcia, in the midst of a remarkable postseason offensively, were removed from the Texas Rangers‘ World Series roster because of the injuries they suffered in Monday’s Game 3, a devastating blow for a team just two wins away from the first championship in franchise history.

The Rangers, with a 2-1 lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in this best-of-seven series, made the decision hours before the start of Tuesday’s Game 4.

Scherzer, who suffered back spasms during his Monday start and was removed after the third inning, was replaced by left-hander Brock Burke. Garcia, who tweaked his left oblique on a swing in the eighth inning, was replaced by utility man Ezequiel Duran.

Garcia had what Rangers manager Bruce Bochy described as a “moderate strain” in his oblique. He underwent imaging shortly after getting removed from Monday’s 3-1 win then was the first Rangers player to arrive at Chase Field on Tuesday and went through a heavy dose of treatment. Garcia attempted to take swings in the batting cage, but Rangers general manager Chris Young said “it was very clear he was in pain.”

“It’s not something that’s going to get any better over the next five to seven days,” Young added. “I think it would be a more significant timeline if this were the regular season. It made the decision pretty easy.”

Travis Jankowski replaced Garcia in right field, and designated hitter Mitch Garver moved into the No. 3 spot in the lineup for what would be a bullpen game for the Diamondbacks, with rookie left fielder Evan Carter batting cleanup and third baseman Josh Jung hitting fifth.

If this World Series goes to a Game 7, Jon Gray, the man who pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Scherzer on Monday, will probably start it. Scherzer said after Monday’s game he was hopeful his back spasms would subside — or at the very least show signs of improvement — after about 48 hours.

Young said waiting an extra day was “certainly a consideration” but that it was “clear” it wouldn’t matter given how Scherzer’s back was responding.

“His back is in the same spot it was last night,” Young said. “He received full day of treatment, and there was no progress. Our medical team has extreme concern in terms of his ability to recover over the next few days that would allow him to pitch in this series.”

Garcia, a two-time All-Star who didn’t emerge until he was a 28-year-old rookie in 2021, has put together a tremendous postseason, slashing .323/.382/.726 with eight home runs in 15 games. In a six-at-bat stretch to end the American League Championship Series, Garcia homered three times and drove in nine runs, leading the Rangers to back-to-back road wins against the Houston Astros and claiming the ALCS MVP trophy.

He then delivered the walk-off home run to win Game 1 of the World Series in extra innings.

Scherzer was acquired from the New York Mets in a blockbuster midseason trade to get the Rangers over the hump in a stage like this. The 39-year-old right-hander posted a 3.20 ERA in eight starts then suffered a low-grade strain of the teres muscle in his right shoulder in mid-September. He returned to make two starts in the ALCS, giving up a combined seven runs in 6⅔ innings, and was through three scoreless innings in the World Series before his back locked up.

“If this were the regular season, they would both [go on the injured list],” Young said of Garcia and Scherzer. “And we’re just at a point in time where we don’t have the time to wait these things out.”

Burke, 27, posted a 4.37 ERA in 53 relief appearances this season, striking out 52 batters and issuing only nine walks in 59⅔ innings. Duran, 24, slashed .276/.324/.443 in 439 plate appearances this season, and he can help out at second base, third base, shortstop and left field.

Burke cracked the Rangers’ roster for the wild-card round and the division series; both he and Duran have been taking part in sessions of live-batting practice during the team’s workout days. Neither figures to play a factor in this series but, as Young said, “The game will determine that.”

Even if they don’t match the impact of Garcia or Scherzer, Young expects his Rangers to persevere.

“It’s been a theme of our team,” he said. “It has. It’s kind of the next-man-up mentality. Our guys don’t feel sorry for themselves, and I love that. That’s a true characteristic of the Texas Rangers, and I’m proud of that. And I’m sure the guys will respond in the same manner that they have all year.”