The Texas Rangers must try to complete their first championship with two star players behind them.
Outfielder Adolis García and starting pitcher Max Scherzer have been left off the 2023 Texas World Series roster due to injuries, the club announced Tuesday. They were replaced by infielder/outfielder Ezequiel Duran and left-handed pitcher Brock Burke.
The Rangers will now no longer have García and Scherzer available for the remainder of the Fall Classic. Texas, seeking its first World Series title, leads Arizona 2-1 heading into Game 4 on Tuesday at Chase Field in Phoenix.
“They’ve worked their whole lives to be on this stage and be in this moment, and they’ve both suffered injuries that will take them out of this moment,” Rangers general manager Chris Young said. “I have a lot of compassion for her in that regard.”
García and Scherzer both finished off Texas’ Game 3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. Scherzer’s start was limited to three innings due to back strain, while García suffered an oblique strain while swinging in the eighth inning.
García was in the midst of a spectacular postseason, hitting .323/.382/.726 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs. He earned ALCS MVP honors after hitting three home runs and nine runs scored in the final two games as Texas overcame a 3-2 series deficit. He then hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning of the World Series opener.
“Adolis did everything he could today,” Young said. “He came in and was the first one today. He received as much treatment as possible. He went down to the cage and tried, and it was very clear that he was in pain. It won’t get better for the next five to seven days. I think the schedule would be more meaningful if this were the regular season. Made the decision pretty easy.”
Travis Jankowski entered the Texas lineup for Game 4, replacing García in right field. The 32-year-old Jankowski hit .263/.357/.352 with one home run and 30 RBIs over 247 at-bats in the regular season.
“Travis had a really nice year for us in his role,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “Was pushed into the starting XI for a while there when we had our injuries and then really supported us when we needed it. Solid all around. Smart player. Good defender. Speed. He’s a guy who can handle the bat. He can do colorful things. He does a good job of getting the ball into play.”
Scherzer, who returned to the ALCS after suffering a shoulder strain, failed to go more than four innings in each of his three playoff starts. He allowed two hits and two walks in three scoreless innings before exiting Game 3.
“(Scherzer) was treated for a full day and there was no progress,” Young said. “Our medical team is extremely concerned about his ability to recover over the next few days.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story