Replacements in wings if Beltre needs to leave
Texas Rangers third basemen Adrian Beltre had an early exit from Thursday’s Game 1 against the Blue Jays, but Texas general manager Jon Daniels is confident the superstar will bounce back.
“Adrian has a lower back strain, we got the MRI back and its negative, it shows no major structural issues,” Daniels said after what everyone in the Rangers’ dressing room called a superhuman effort by Beltre to take two at-bats in the game before the pain in his back became too much to handle.
Daniels said Beltre received a cortisone shot following his first at bat, but remained sore.
“Right now he’s day to day and we’ll see how he is tomorrow,” Daniels said after the game.
Beltre’s situation was serious enough for Daniels to bring Joey Gallo, the organization’s top prospect, and Triple-A player Ed Lucas to the city. Both were expected to arrive in Toronto on Thursday night after a flight from Phoenix.
“Hopefully they come in and go right back out Friday,” Daniels said. Having the players nearby would allow an easy swap onto ALDS roster as injury replacements if needed.
Beltre walked in his first-inning at bat Thursday, then slid into second
"It’s remarkable that he got that swing, but I’ve been watching that from Adrian for five years." JON DANIELS TEXAS RANGERS GM
base on an inning-ending grounder to second by Prince Fielder.
Beltre singled in his next at-bat, a fourth inning poke that brought home a run. But the all-star third baseman barely made it down to first base, almost tiptoeing as he ran.
“We knew, we knew from our trainers, we got the information during the game . . . after that (slide into second base), it looked like he put everything he had in that final atbat,” Daniels said.
“It’s remarkable that he got that swing, but I’ve been watching that from Adrian for five years, that’s the kind of person and player he is.”
Daniels and the Rangers are not out of the woods with Beltre yet; if he is unable to respond to treatment and play Friday, he could be replaced on the roster, likely by Gallo.
Daniels called that a last resort. If removed for injury, Beltre would not be eligible to come back in the ALDS. He could return for the championship series, if the Rangers advance.
“I wouldn’t rule him out play (Friday),” Daniels said.