Beltre gets injection for ailing back; Gallo on standby

Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre has received a cortisone injection in his lower back, and is considered day to day after leaving Game 1 of the ALDS against the Toronto Blue Jays in the third inning with lower back stiffness.

An MRI has revealed no structural damage and the club is officially deeming his injury as a back strain.

"Obviously we want Adrian in there," manager Jeff Banister told reporters after the Rangers' stunning 5-3 upset victory. "He's the heart and soul of this ballclub."

The Rangers are also making arrangements to bring slugger Joey Gallo to Toronto in time for Game 2, should Beltre be ruled out for the series.

"We'll wait and see. He'll get some treatment this evening at the hotel, get some sleep, come back in tomorrow," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "We haven't ruled him out of tomorrow's game."

Beltre initially suffered the injury sliding into second base on a double play that ended the first inning. He remained in the game, however, until further aggravating the injury when he hit an RBI single to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead in the third.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Beltre, who is renowned for his toughness, had tears in his eyes as he exited the field.

"We talked about it all year long, just how tough this man is and what he's capable of doing," Banister said. "You never count him out."

The future Hall of Famer has also been playing with a damaged left thumb for the entire second half of the season.