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USATSI

Texas Rangers sometimes catcher and most of the time designated hitter Mitch Garver does not have a fracture in his rib cage after being hit by a pitch in Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday, the team announced Tuesday (per the Dallas Morning News). Garver was hit by the pitch in the sixth inning and was removed for a pinch-hitter in his next at-bat in the eighth.

Here is the pitch that led to Garver's early exit from Game 7:

Garver was hit by Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu, who hit Adolis García with a pitch in Game 5 and sparked a benches-clearing brawl. The umpires and later MLB determined Abreu hit García intentionally. The reliever was given a two-game suspension that will take effect next season. Abreu was eligible to play in Game 7 because the suspension was pushed back to next year.

Garver, 32, slashed .270/.370/.500 with 19 home runs in 87 games during the regular season. In nine games this postseason, he's hit .295/.368/.529 and driven in 11 runs. Robbie Grossman would presumably step in at DH in the event Garver misses time. He may not have a fracture in his rib cage, but Garver is surely sore.

The World Series does not begin until Friday and rosters do not have to be submitted until that morning, so the Rangers have a few to further evaluate Garver before making a final decision about his roster status. Players can not be added to the roster in the middle of a series unless they are replacing another injured player.

The Rangers will take on either the Arizona Diamondbacks or Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. The National League pennant will be decided in Game 7 on Tuesday.