The Texas Rangers lost both starter Max Scherzer and outfielder Adolis Garcia in their Game 3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.
Scherzer left with back tightness after coming out to warm up for the fourth inning, and Garcia with left-side tightness after flying out in the top of the eighth inning.
Scherzer had thrown three scoreless innings while allowing two hits and two walks before being forced to leave. The 39-year-old was hit by a comebacker to end the second inning, but came out in the third and gave a thumbs-up to the dugout after his first warm-up pitch.
After the game, he told reporters that his back was in “full spasm” and that he was “locked up pretty good.”
The next inning, though, Scherzer was visibly uncomfortable while warming up, prompting manager Bruce Bochy and the training staff to come out and check on him.
Jon Gray came in to replace the veteran right-hander with the Rangers up 3-0. Gray threw 1.2 innings of relief in Texas’s Game 1 win, striking out four while allowing just one hit.
After taking his swing, Garcia showed obvious discomfort in his oblique area as he ran down the first-base line. He was 0-for-3 with a walk and strikeout in the game.
The ALCS MVP was replaced by Travis Jankowski in right field.
Scherzer was making just his third start back from a Teres Major strain that kept him off the Rangers wild card and ALDS rosters. He had also been dealing with a cut on his thumb ahead of Monday’s start.
Game 4 goes Tuesday night at Chase Field, with the Rangers now holding a 2-1 lead in the series.