Adolis Garcia, Max Scherzer out for rest of World Series

(AP photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

PHOENIX — Adolis Garcia and Max Scherzer will miss the rest of the World Series, a significant blow to the Rangers’ chances at capturing their first world championship.

Garcia Game 3 in the eighth inning because of tightness in his left side after a swing. Garcia immediately grabbed at the painful area and took a quick turn toward the dugout after making the final out of the inning.

He was sent for an MRI exam, which revealed a moderate oblique strain. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Garcia attempted to take swings Tuesday afternoon but had difficulty doing so.

The Rangers were weighing whether to replace Garcia before Game 4 or giving him another day to improve.

“Adolis did everything he could today,” general manager Chris Young said. “He 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.”

Ezequiel Duran replaced Gracia and worked out in left field before Game 4 and took batting practice on the field. He has been staying active with the team during its postseason, and Bochy said before the World Series that the Rangers were impressed with how well Duran had been hitting in live batting practice.

The Rangers had a group of minor-leaguers, including first-round pick Wyatt Langford and right-hander Jack Leiter, working outing Arlington throughout the playoffs but sent the group home after Game 2.

While Duran had a nice season, batting .276 with 14 home runs, he’s not as good as Garcia.

Garcia, the MVP of the American League Championship Series, has eight home runs and 22 RBIs this postseason while batting .323. He hit a walk-off homer to end Game 1, his fifth straight postseason game with a homer. His 15 RBIs in the ALCS set an MLB record for the most in any postseason series.

Mitch Garver replaced Garcia in the No. 3 spot in the lineup, Josh Jung moved to fifth, and Travis Jankowski replaced Garcia in right field. Robbie Grossman is another possibility to play right field.

The Rangers have dealt with multiple injuries this season, including to Garcia last month. Corey Seager and Jung also missed significant stretches during the season.

“Whoever slots into his spot in the lineup is going to a great job,” first baseman Nathaniel Lowe said. “Whoever plays right field will do a great job. It’s nothing new to us.”

Scherzer was also replaced after his back remained in spasms the day after he left his Game 3 start before the fourth inning. The Rangers replaced him with left-hander Brock Burke over right-handers Matt Bush and Grant Anderson.

Scherzer was in line to pitch a potential Game 7, an assignment that could now go to Jon Gray.

“He understands that we try to do what’s best for the team,” Young said. “He understood completely, but we had a lot of conversations today. And I have just great admiration for him, the way he handles these things.

“We certainly would love to have him out there in a Game 7 situation. Unfortunately, it’s not going to be the case.”

Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com