ARLINGTON — If it isn’t a beat-up back, a tight groin, a busted ankle or a rehabilitated elbow, it’s something else with this Rangers rotation. 

Rangers left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore battled “muscle spasms” in his shoulder-and-back area in a 7-3 win vs. the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field Wednesday night. He struggled to command his pitches, had to navigate a significant velocity dip and only lasted four innings because of the discomfort. 

“It’s frustrating for that to happen early,” said Gore, who allowed a two-run home run to Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras in the first inning. “There wasn’t a whole lot I could do about it.”

Gore said the spasms flared up in the first inning. He grabbed at his side after his fourth pitch of the second inning, but even after Rangers manager Skip Schumaker, pitching coach Jordan Tiegs and trainer Matt Lucero made a mound visit, he remained in the game. The 27-year-old pitched scoreless second, third and fourth innings despite the fact that his four-seam fastball velocity fell from an average of 95.2 mph on the season to 94 mph in the game. 

He was removed from the game in the fifth inning, when his four-seam fastball averaged only 92.8 mph, after he allowed the first two batters to reach.

“It calmed down after the second inning and he didn’t feel anything in the third inning,” Schumaker said. “It kind of came back a little bit in the fourth.”

Gore dealt with a similar injury earlier this season in a start against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. He pitched just one inning against the Rockies, exited the game, felt sore the next day, but started against the Los Angeles Angels at Angels Stadium on five days of rest. His next turn in the rotation could be as early as Tuesday vs. the New York Mets at Globe Life Field, and though the Rangers have plenty to sort through with their rotation, he doesn’t expect to miss any time.

“I don’t feel hurt or anything,” said Gore, whose 32 starts lead the American League. “I was sore last time, but it doesn’t feel like anything is hurt.”