Will Mitch Garver be ready for the World Series? Rangers slugger's heath status explored after being drilled by pitch in ribs

Mitch Garver has been tremendously effective for the Texas Rangers so far this postseason. Now, with the World Series on the horizon, fans are wondering whether or not the DH will be able to appear after a grizzly incident in Game 7.

In the sixth inning of Game 7 between Garver's Rangers and the Houston Astros, Garver was drilled in the ribs by a Bryan Abreu fastball. Visibly shaken up by the play, Garver eventually decided to stay in the game.

"Mitch Garver remained in the game after getting hit by a pitch.

Game 7 saw the Rangers best the Houston Astros 11-4 to drive a dagger through the heart of the defending champs. However, after Garver took a drilling like that, some fans were fearful that the ramifications might extend into the Fall Classic.

For Bryan Abreu, the Astros pitcher who nailed Garver, the scene was all too familiar. In Game 5, benches cleared after Abreu hit Rangers star Adolis Garcia. Many viewed this as retaliation for Garcia's grandiose bat flip after launching a three-run home run off of Justin Verlander earlier in the game. On account of the incident, Abreu will be suspended for the first two games of the 2024 season.

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, post-game tests determined that Mitch Garver's rib cage appears to be intact. As such, it looks like the 32-year-old will be able to compete in the World Series.

"Per Rangers officials, MRI on Mitch Garver’s rib cage showed no fractures after being hit by a pitch Monday" - Evan Grant

A former Silver Slugger winner during his time with the Minnesota Twins, 2023 is Garver's second season with the Rangers. In 87 games this season, the New Mexico native hit .270/.370/.500 with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs. So far in the postseason, Garver has a pair of home runs alongside eleven RBIs.

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Mitch Garver will be glad to join his team in their quest for history

Game 7 of the NLCS will reveal their opponent in the World Series, but the Rangers are back to the Fall Classic for the first time since 2012. Moreover, the star-studded lineup has the chance to be the first Rangers team in franchise history to win a World Series.

Unlike Garcia, it appears as though Garver's drilling at the hands of Abreu was an error. Thankfully, it was not one that appears to have sidelined Garver from further action.