Adrian Beltre leaves ALDS Game 1 in third inning

Adrian Beltre, the Texas Rangers third baseman, was removed from today's ALDS Game 1 at the start of the bottom of the third inning.

Beltre appeared to injure his back in the top of the third while swinging at a David Price pitch that he lined into center field for an RBI single.  Beltre stayed in the game, but when he tried to go out to third base to start the bottom of the inning, he was unable to continue.  Hanser Alberto has taken Beltre's place at third base.

Beltre's departure means that the Rangers have no backup infielder -- the bench consists of catcher Chris Gimenez, first baseman Mitch Moreland, and outfielders Wil Venable and Drew Stubbs.  The Toronto turf is hard on players physically, and could have been in a factor in Beltre having to come out of the game.

We will have to wait and see what Beltre's status for tomorrow's Game Two will be.  Joey Gallo is currently working out in the Instructional League in Arizona, and would presumably get the nod if Beltre had to be removed from the roster due to injury.  Should Beltre be taken off the roster, he would not be eligible to play again until the World Series.

UPDATE -- Beltre has lower back stiffness, and injured himself when sliding into second base in the first inning on a Prince Fielder double play ball.