The Texas Rangers will lose two key players for the remainder of the World Series. While they won Game 3 by a 3-1 score to take a 2-1 series lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks, they paid a heavy price. Adolis Garcia, who has carried Texas at the plate this October, and veteran pitcher Max Scherzer both suffered injuries, resulting in their removal from the World Series roster. Their roster replacements are utility player Ezequiel Duran and lefty reliever Brock Burke.
Adolis García and Max Scherzer have been removed from the Rangers #WorldSeries roster.
They have been replaced by Ezequiel Duran and Brock Burke. pic.twitter.com/UWbxh9ErzR
— MLB (@MLB) October 31, 2023
Garcia, Scherzer Out for World Series
Garcia exited Game 3 with tightness in his left side, later proven to be a strained oblique muscle. He was the Rangers’ offensive MVP this postseason. He won ALCS MVP honors, as his clutch homers helped beat the Houston Astros. His success carried over to the Fall Classic, hitting an 11th-inning walk-off homer to win Game 1 over Arizona. The loss of Garcia leaves a big hole in the Texas lineup. Travis Jankowski will replace him in right field in Game 4.
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Scherzer left his Game 3 start after only three innings after his back locked up. He gave up no runs on two hits and two walks with one strikeout. After Tuesday’s bullpen game, Nathan Eovaldi and Jordan Montgomery are each expected to make another start if necessary. But Scherzer’s injury would leave Texas’ pitching situation for a potential Game 7 uncertain. They could plan for another bullpen game, or perhaps have Jon Gray start and get as much mileage from him as possible.
As for their replacements, Duran is on the roster for the first time this postseason. In 122 regular season games, he hit .276 with 14 homers, 46 RBI, eight steals, and a .768 OPS. Burke has not pitched since Game 2 of the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles. In that game, he gave up two earned runs in only 1/3 of an inning. In the regular season, he had a 5-3 record with a 4.37 ERA, a 1.223 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings.
While Duran and Burke aren’t expected to fill the talent void left by Garcia and Scherzer, having a 2-1 lead in the series should help Texas. However, the rest of the lineup will have to hit in the clutch in Garcia’s place, and manager Bruce Bochy must sort out the rotation.
Photo Credit: © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
