Mike Adams diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Rangers reliever Mike Adams, who has been dealing with pain in his trapezius muscle this month, has been diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Adams says he is going to try to pitch through the problem for the playoffs, but at this point, both his availability and his potential effectiveness would seem to be up in the air.

The Rangers have been strangely plagued by TOS, with Kenny Rogers, Hank Blalock, John Rheinecker, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Matt Harrison all having been stricken by it in recent years.

With Adams' situation up in the air, Koji Uehara will likely take over Adams' 8th inning duties, with Alexi Ogando being called upon for the 6th and 7th innings come playoff time.

If Adams cannot go in the playoffs, that opens the door for another reliever, with Tanner Scheppers seemingly having the inside track to get some meaningful late-game innings. Scheppers is a power arm who, when he is on, can overpower hitters with his fastball and breaking ball.

Adams MRI shows mild cervical strain

Texas Rangers reliever Mike Adams, who is out indefinitely, had an MRI this afternoon. The MRI showed that Adams has a mild cervical strain, but no structural damage.

That is good news for the Rangers, who are counting on Adams being a key piece of the team's playoff bullpen. It is unknown when Adams will be able to pitch again, but the fact that there is no structural damage makes it much more likely he can return for the playoffs.

Mike Adams has MRI on his shoulder, is out indefinitely

Mike Adams is out for the weekend and is questionable for the playoffs after undergoing an MRI on his injured right shoulder