PHOENIX — The Texas Rangers, ravaged by injuries all season, will now be without their record-setting cleanup hitter for the rest of the World Series, along with their three-time Cy Young winner.
Rangers All-Star right fielder Adolis Garcia, who has eight home runs and a record 22 RBI this postseason, was removed from the World Series roster (strained oblique) along with Max Scherzer (back tightness). They were replaced by infielder/outfielder Ezequiel Duran and reliever Brock Burke.
“It’s a strong group of guys,” Rangers GM Chris Young said announcing the moves before Game 4. “They’ve got high character. They have responded to adversity all season. And, again, nobody’s feeling sorry for us. We’re going to go out and give it our best.’’
Garcia, who sustained the injury swinging in the eighth inning of Game 3 on Monday night, showed up early to Chase Field on Tuesday to undergo treatment. He went into the batting cage to take a few cuts, but was unable to continue with the pain.
“Adolis did everything he could today,” Young said. “He went down to the cage and gave it a go, and 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. I think it would be more significant timeline if this were the regular season. Made the decision pretty easy.”
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Scherzer, who left the game after three innings with back spasms in Game 3, also…
