Max Scherzer of the Texas Rangers is unable to get a break.
With what appeared to be a back ailment, the 39-year-old veteran abandoned his World Series Game 3 start on Monday night. And at the conclusion of the second inning, a ground ball that hit off him might have caused it.
Alek Thomas, a centre fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks, hit Scherzer one straight back with a runner on second base and two outs. Scherzer was hit in the lower back. Josh Jung, the third baseman, quickly picked it up with his bare hands and got Thomas out at first.
He was going to come back for the bottom of the third, but by the time he emerged to deliver his warm-up pitches for the fourth, he was clearly uncomfortable and had to leave the mound.
With a shake of his head, Scherzer left the bullpen and headed to the clubhouse, where Jon Grey took over as emergency notice.
Scherzer has a difficult scenario as he battled to return to the mound following a strained teres major muscle injury that prevented him from throwing since September 12 and ultimately prevented him from playing in the ALCS against the Houston Astros.
Due to an injury, Scherzer was expected to sit out two months, but he put in a lot of effort to get back, and manager Bruce Bochy started him playing straight immediately.
In 6.2 innings pitched against Houston, Scherzer gave up seven earned runs, showing signs of weakness. But he was enjoying himself in Game 3 against the Diamondbacks.
Over the course of three innings, Scherzer surrendered just two hits, two walks, no runs, and one strikeout.