ARLINGTON, Texas -- Adrian Beltre, who had not played since the second inning of Game 1 of the American League Division Series because of a back strain, was in the lineup batting third and playing third base for the Texas Rangers in the team's 8-4 loss to the Blue Jays on Monday in Game 4.
Beltre singled to right field in his first at-bat in the first inning but was left stranded. He finished 2-for-4.
The club announced the change to its lineup about an hour before Game 4.
Beltre injured his back while sliding into second base during the first inning of Game 1. He drove in a run with a single in the second inning but could barely run to first base and left the game.
The Rangers said Beltre took batting practice at the club's indoor batting cages and did some light jogging Monday before deciding he could play.
Beltre, who had 53 RBIs in his past 48 games, hit .344 from Sept. 1 through the end of the regular season.
The heart of Texas' batting order has struggled without Beltre. Shin-Soo Choo (4-for-17), Prince Fielder (2-for-16), Mitch Moreland (0-for-10) and Josh Hamilton (2-for-15) are hitting a combined .138 with zero homers and two RBIs in the series against Toronto.