For the Texas Rangers, few hitters have been swinging the bat as well as Jake Burger lately. Over the past week, he’s been on fire, slashing .467/.529/.667 in his last seven games and delivering timely hits in nearly every outing. That’s what makes his latest trip to the injured list sting all the more.
Chris Young, the Rangers’ president of baseball operations, confirmed that Burger has been placed on the 10-day IL with a left wrist sprain. It’s yet another frustrating setback in what’s been a stop-and-start season for the slugger. He already lost time earlier this year with a left oblique strain (June 21–July 2) and later a left quadriceps injury (July 16–Aug. 7). Now, the wrist injury marks his third stint on the shelf in just two months.
The latest trouble first surfaced during the Rangers’ road trip in Toronto. On August 17, Burger was pulled for a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning after experiencing sharp discomfort in his wrist, something he admitted began bothering him during his first at-bat the night before. He returned to Texas for an MRI before rejoining the team in Kansas City on Monday.
“It’s going to need a few days to calm down at this point,” Young explained. “We’re hopeful to get him back swinging, taped up, and in the lineup soon, but we want to give Jake the best chance possible to heal and not put him in harm’s way.”
Burger has been a steady contributor across the season despite the injuries. In 84 games, he’s batting .242/.275/.416 with 12 home runs, 15 doubles, and 41 RBIs. He also leads the club with 71 starts at first base, providing valuable stability at a position that has seen plenty of turnover in recent years. His recent surge at the plate makes the timing of this IL stint even tougher since August 8, he’s hit a blistering .429 with a 1.097 OPS over nine games.
The earliest he can return is August 28, and the Rangers will be hoping he’s ready by then as they push through the late-season playoff race.
Young praised Burger’s toughness and importance to the lineup. “Jake has been a warrior,” he said. “He’s been one of our hottest hitters, and it’s terrible timing. I feel for him. He wants to push through it, but with the swelling and inflammation, that’s just not the best decision right now. This game is hard enough when your body feels right it’s even tougher when you’re in pain. Hopefully this calms down quickly and we’ll have him back out there.”
For the Rangers, Burger’s absence will test their depth, but his return whenever it comes could be a huge boost if he can pick up where he left off at the plate.