PHOENIX — If the Rangers are going to win this World Series it will be without further contributions from two of their biggest stars.
Adolis Garcia and Max Scherzer were removed from the Rangers’ roster before Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday and are finished for the season after sustaining injuries a night earlier.
But neither was missed much as Texas cruised to victory and sits a win away from its first Series win.
Garcia was diagnosed with a moderate left oblique strain and Scherzer had back spasms that curtailed his Game 3 start.
The Rangers added utilityman Ezequiel Duran and left-handed pitcher Brock Burke to the roster as replacements for Garcia and Scherzer.
Garcia is the more crushing loss.
The outfielder has been the Rangers’ MVP during this run to the World Series, with a postseason record 22 RBIs. Included was his walk-off homer in the 11th inning of Game 1 against Miguel Castro.
Garcia sustained his injury on a fly out in the eighth inning of the Rangers’ 3-1 victory in Game 3.
“This team has dealt with it many times,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said when asked about the potential impact. “It started early in the season. You start with [Jacob] deGrom. We lost Corey Seager for a while. We lost [Garcia], Jonah Heim. I could keep going.”
Travis Jankowski, who spent part of the 2023 season with the Mets, replaced Garcia as Tuesday’s starter in right field and made an immediate impact.
The 32-year-old got a hit and scored a run in the second inning and stroked a two-run double and scored another run in the third. Jankowski’s strength is speed and defense — he produced only a .689 OPS this season.
“With this lineup I don’t feel pressure,” Jankowski said. “I go out there and do what I have been doing the whole year and I think we’ll be all right.”
But Jankowski acknowledged the significance of losing Garcia’s bat, even if it wasn’t needed on Tuesday.
“There is no replacing Adolis, especially what he has done this postseason run,” Jankowski said. “I’m not trying to replace Adolis. I am trying to play my game and do what I can to help the team win.”
Scherzer’s back “locked up” after the veteran right-hander pitched three scoreless innings in Game 3. It was just the latest physical setback for the 39-year-old Scherzer, who finished the regular season on the injured list with a strained teres major muscle near his shoulder and wasn’t available for the wild-card round and ALDS.
The three-time Cy Young award winner would have been lined up for a potential Game 7 start, but the Rangers have the option of using Jon Gray in that spot — but they hope they won’t need it.
Gray pitched three scoreless innings after Scherzer departed Game 3 and has been dependable in his three postseason appearances.
The Rangers considered waiting on the decision to remove Scherzer from the roster, according to general manager Chris Young, given his competitive nature and the possibility he would be ready later in the series.
But ultimately it was decided the Rangers would be better served activating Burke.
“Max is actually unbelievable in terms of understanding in these situations,” Young said. “He’s honest, he’s open and he’s authentic. He gives us as much information as he can possibly provide and wants us to make the best decision.”
