The Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger remains in the midst of his injury rehab this week, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy confirmed on Monday. While Burger has been preparing for a return, the specifics of where he will continue his rehab are uncertain, as both the Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock teams are traveling this week. Burger took part in live batting practice at Globe Life Field on Monday, signaling progress toward rejoining active play as the Rangers work to bring him back fully ready for games.
Burger Reports No Pain and Seeks to Regain Full Game Speed
Speaking with reporters before his live batting session, Burger stated that his left quadriceps, which sidelined him last month, no longer causes pain. His focus now is regaining the necessary game shape before the Rangers activate him to return to the roster. He had initially considered the weekend series in Philadelphia as a possible timeframe to rejoin the team. Burger noted,
“I can see a scenario where I go meet either Round Rock or Frisco on the road [this week] and be activated, but that’s not really in my control.”
During his recent rehab outings with Frisco, Burger served as the designated hitter in two games, compiling a 1-for-8 hitting performance. This week, he is expected to resume playing defensively at first base. Burger identified baserunning as his biggest current challenge and aims to reach about “90 percent” of his usual speed before returning to full action.
Manager Bruce Bochy Discusses Burger’s Progress and Next Steps
Manager Bruce Bochy expressed satisfaction with Burger’s live batting practice but emphasized that more game-time at-bats are necessary before Burger returns to the Rangers’ active roster. Bochy said,
“He needs more at-bats down there, so he’ll go back and play. We’ll get him stretched out to five innings, seven innings [at first base] on a daily basis. He’ll let us know when he’s ready.”
Burger was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 16, retroactive to July 13, due to his quadriceps injury. This marks his second stint on the 10-day IL within a month, with an earlier absence caused by a left oblique strain sustained against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was initially sidelined on June 21 and reactivated on July 2 after a brief rehab assignment.
Season Performance and Rangers’ First Base Options
Through 75 games this season, Burger has posted a slash line of .228/.259/.401, hitting 11 home runs with 35 RBIs. After struggling early in the season, he was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in early May for a week to work on his swing. During his absence, the Rangers have used a platoon at first base featuring Rowdy Tellez, Josh Smith, and Ezequiel Duran to fill the position.
Implications of Burger’s Rehabilitation and Expected Return
Extending Jake Burger’s rehab highlights the Rangers’ cautious approach to his recovery, ensuring he is fully prepared before returning to competitive play. His ability to run bases near his usual speed and gain sufficient at-bats in the minors will be key before an activation. The team’s progress managing Burger’s rehab could impact their offensive strength and first base stability as they look ahead in the season.