ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre was taken out of Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Indians in the top of the fifth inning with a left shoulder strain. The club said he will have a precautionary MRI and the results won't be known tonight. He will continue to be evaluated.
Mike Olt replaced Beltre at third.
Beltre injured the shoulder when he dove to his left to get to a sharply-hit ground ball by Russ Canzler. Beltre gloved it and made a nice throw to first to get the out. He stayed in the game and walked in an at-bat the next inning. Manager Ron Washington and head athletic trainer Jamie Reed came out to check on him, and Beltre stayed in the game.
But after the top of the fourth inning, Washington was shown on television talking with Beltre in the dugout. Olt then came in the game the next time the Rangers trotted onto the field on defense.
Before leaving, Beltre hit his 32nd home run of the season, tying the second-most in his career. He had 48 with the Dodgers in 2004.
Beltre is hitting .318 this season with 92 RBIs.