Jake Burger made his return to the Texas Rangers lineup on Friday, appearing as the designated hitter in the game against the Philadelphia Phillies. This comeback arrives after Burger missed 20 games due to a left quad strain, and his reintegration is set to impact the Rangers’ first base decisions moving forward.

Rangers Plan to Reinstate Burger as Primary First Baseman

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy confirmed that Burger will take over the majority of starts at first base, reaffirming that this remains his designated position. Burger’s activation resulted in the outfielder Alejandro Osuna being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. On Friday, Burger was given a lighter workload with a pinch-hit appearance to rest him after a strong 4-for-6 showing in a recent rehab game.

Saturday’s matchup against the Phillies will see Burger starting at first base as Philadelphia plans to send left-hander Jesus Luzardo to the mound. Bochy’s decision to start Burger against a lefty pitcher illustrates the manager’s confidence in Burger’s bat and defense at the position.

During Burger’s absence, multiple players filled in at first base, including Josh Smith, Rowdy Tellez, Joc Pederson, and Ezequiel Duran. On Friday, Duran started at first base due to his right-handed hitting, which was preferred against Phillies lefty Cristopher Sanchez.

Though Tellez has seen a significant number of starts at first this season, Bochy intends to keep him involved in the lineup in specific situations.

“He’ll pinch-hit, he’ll play first in some games against certain right-handers,” Bochy said. “He’s a guy that can help out on the left side, along with Joc Pederson.” —Bruce Bochy, Rangers Manager

Pederson himself has seen time at first base, playing four games there for the Rangers and accumulating 27 career appearances at the position. This positional flexibility gives Bochy multiple options when constructing lineups based on the opposing team’s matchup.

Adjustments in the Rangers’ Outfield Due to Roster Moves

With Osuna sent down, the Rangers currently have only three healthy outfielders available: Wyatt Langford, Sam Haggerty, and Adolis Garcia. All three participated in Friday’s game and are anticipated to start again on Saturday against Luzardo, a left-handed pitcher. The Rangers may consider rotating one of these outfielders out of the lineup for Sunday’s afternoon game following a night game.

Bochy also highlighted the versatility of players like Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith, who can fill in the outfield if necessary. Evan Carter remains on the injured list, limiting the Rangers’ outfield depth even further.

“I think what you’re going to see is [Smith] getting some left field reps out there,” Bochy said.

Among these adjustments, Smith is likely to platoon against right-handed pitchers, shifting Langford to center field. However, Bochy did not dismiss the possibility of using Smith against left-handers depending on specific game matchups.

Implications for the Rangers’ Roster and Upcoming Games

Burger’s return solidifies the Rangers’ first base position, providing stability after a period of rotation among several players. Bochy’s strategy of pairing Burger’s starts with opponents’ left-handed pitchers aims to maximize offensive contributions while maintaining defensive flexibility.

The ongoing juggling of outfielders highlights some depth challenges but also showcases the Rangers’ adaptability through players capable of multiple positions. This flexibility could prove critical as the Rangers navigate a demanding schedule, including night and day games in close succession.

Jake Burger’s comeback not only strengthens the team’s lineup but also reshapes the dynamic behind the plate and in the outfield, potentially influencing how the Rangers approach their roster management and in-game tactics in the coming weeks.