Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García and starting pitcher Max Scherzer have been removed from the World Series roster due to injuries, the team announced Tuesday ahead of Game 4. Here’s what you need to know:
- García has a moderate oblique strain, according to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. He left Game 3 in the top of the eighth inning with left-side tightness.
- Scherzer exited Game 3 with back tightness after pitching three scoreless innings.
- INF/OF Ezequiel Durán will replace García on the roster while lefty reliever Brock Burke will replace Scherzer.
- The Rangers lead the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 in the World Series after taking Game 3 3-1.
The Rangers announced the following substitutions for the club’s World Series roster. The moves were approved by MLB after confirmation from MLB’s Medical Director Dr. Gary Green.
– OF Adolis García replaced by INF/OF Ezequiel Duran
– RHP Max Scherzer replaced by LHP Brock Burke— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) October 31, 2023
How big of a loss is García
García has been the breakout star of this postseason. So his absence will be a significant blow for Texas, both on offense and defense. The offensive aspect is obvious. García was the MVP of the American League Championship Series against Houston. He launched the walk-off homer in Game 1 of the World Series.
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And his strong arm in right field cut down Arizona first baseman Christian Walker at the plate in a crucial early sequence in Game 3. García has played like a star in October. Stars are never easy to replace. — Andy McCullough, senior MLB writer
How the Rangers adjust their lineup
It will fall to Travis Jankowski and Robbie Grossman to take García’s at-bats. Jankowski, a 32-year-old journeyman, is a better fielder and runner than Grossman. He will start Game 4 as Arizona attempts to run a bullpen game. Grossman, a 34-year-old switch hitter, was far more productive against left-handed pitching.
Because the Diamondbacks use three right-handed starting pitchers, Grossman may only appear as a pinch hitter. Utility man Durán, who replaced García on the roster, can play several positions and also performed well against lefties in 2023. — McCullough
Impact of losing Scherzer
The Rangers were unsure if Max Scherzer’s back would loosen up in time for him to be utilized in this series. Given Scherzer’s age and recent history of October ailments, it would be hard for the team to bank on him if this series reaches seven games. And Texas can use his roster spot to activate a fresh arm in time for Game 4, when Bochy will try to piece together 27 outs in a bullpen game of his own. — McCullough
What they’re saying
Jankowski stepped out of the dugout Tuesday afternoon in a much different role than the one he has occupied all postseason. After spending the past month as a bench player who has taken only two playoff at-bats, Jankowski is now starting Game 4 of the World Series in place of perhaps the Rangers’ most dynamic player.
With García taken off the roster, Jankowski will get the start in right field.
“There’s no replacing Adolis, especially what he has done in the postseason run,” Jankowski said. “For me, I’m not trying to replace Adolis. I’m trying to play my game and do what I can to help the team win.”
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Jankowski hit .263 with a .357 on-base percentage for the Rangers in the regular season but plays a much different brand of baseball in comparison to García. Jankowski has only 10 home runs in 577 major-league games and is best known for speed and defense.
Jankowski’s defense is a large reason he is getting the Game 4 start over switch-hitting outfielder Grossman, who has started five games for the Rangers this postseason.
It remains likely Grossman could appear against the Diamondbacks’ bullpen in Game 4.
“(The Diamondbacks) are going to be using everybody out there,” Bochy said. “So it’s hard to pick the matchup you want on the starter in a game like tonight. … Right now we’re going with our best defense out there. And we’ll adjust as the game goes with the matchups, who is on base, things like that, pinch-hitting.”
Rangers general manager Chris Young spoke before Game 4 about taking García off of the roster.
“Adolis did everything he could today,” Young said. “He came in, was the first guy in today. He got as much treatment as possible. 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 a more significant timeline if this were the regular season. Made the decision pretty easy.”
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(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)