Burger (wrist) has begun swinging a bat, MLB.com reports.
This is the start of Burger's progression toward hitting baseballs at some point. This suggests the sprain is on the milder side, and he could rejoin the Rangers around the time he reaches the 10-day minimum stay on the injured list. While Burger has been unavailable, Texas manager Bruce Bochy is using Rowdy Tellez at first base against righties and Ezequiel Duran against lefties.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Lands on IL with sprained wrist
Rotowire
The Rangers placed Burger on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left wrist sprain, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Burger exited Sunday's game against the Royals due to wrist discomfort, and a follow-up MRI revealed a sprain. The severity of the sprain isn't known, so it's unclear how much time Burger might miss. Rowdy Tellez should continue to see the bulk of the starts at first base against right-handed pitching, with Ezequiel Duran stepping in versus southpaws.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Heading for imaging
Rotowire
Manager Bruce Bochy said that Burger won't be available for at least a couple of days while he heads back to Texas to receive medical imaging on his left wrist, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Burger exited Sunday's 10-4 win over the Blue Jays due to left wrist discomfort, and there's enough concern about his injury for him to leave the team for a more thorough evaluation. The 29-year-old will miss at least the first couple games of the Rangers' upcoming series in Kansas City while the specifics of the injury are determined.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Out again versus righty
Rotowire
Burger is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.
The right-handed-hitting Burger was in the lineup against lefties in each of his first two games after being activated from the injured list Friday. However, he has now retreated to the bench in two straight contests versus righties. Lefty swinger Rowdy Tellez will receive a second straight start at first base Monday.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Sitting against righty
Rotowire
Burger is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
After being reinstated from the injured list Friday, Burger started in the first two games of the series while the Phillies sent lefties to the bump. With Zack Wheeler on the mound Sunday, Burger will head to the bench, and he may have to settle for the short side of a platoon at either first base or designated hitter while the Texas lineup is at close to full strength.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Activated off IL
Rotowire
Burger (quadriceps) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday.
Burger is back on the active roster for the first time since being placed on the injured list July 16 with a strained left quad. He'll immediately join the starting nine, slotting in at DH and batting seventh for Friday's series opener against Philadelphia. Alejandro Osuna was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Targeting Aug. 8 return
Rotowire
Burger (quad) will resume hitting Saturday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
A left quad strain sent Burger to the injured list July 16, and if everything goes according to plan, the slugging infielder aims to return to the Rangers' lineup Aug. 8 against the Phillies. He still has a few more hurdles to clear before he embarks on a rehab assignment, however, so it's still too early to tell whether he'll meet his goal.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Scratched Sunday
Rotowire
Burger (quadriceps) was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Burger was penciled in to bat seventh as the designated hitter after not starting Saturday due to left quad discomfort, but he'll instead remain on the bench for the final game before the All-Star break. Alejandro Osuna will serve as the DH versus Houston righty Hunter Brown.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Not starting Saturday
Rotowire
Burger (quad) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.
Burger said after leaving Friday's game with quad discomfort that he expected to play in Saturday's contest. Instead, the Rangers will keep him on the bench to begin the game, and he could also sit out Sunday if the Rangers want to make sure he's at 100 percent coming out of the All-Star break. Ezequiel Duran will start at first base instead and bat ninth Saturday while Burger sits.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Injures quad Friday
Rotowire
Burger was removed from Friday's game against the Astros with left quad discomfort, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
It looked like Burger twisted his ankle while trying to beat out a throw to first base in the fifth inning, but the issue seems to be in his upper leg instead. He initially remained in the game but was pulled when the Rangers took the field in the sixth. His ability to stay in the game immediately after injuring himself could suggest the damage is minor, but the Rangers will likely provide an official update on his condition soon.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Returns as DH
Rotowire
Burger went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 6-0 win over Baltimore.
Burger was activated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday and served as the designated hitter, while Josh Smith handled first base. He's likely to resume playing first base, as Smith may be needed to cover third base after the Rangers optioned Josh Jung to the minors Wednesday.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Brought back from IL
Rotowire
The Rangers reinstated Burger (oblique) from the 10-day injured list. He'll start at designated hitter and bat seventh Wednesday against the Orioles.
Burger began a rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Frisco and 1-for-3 with a walk while playing seven innings at first base, and the Rangers evidently came away convinced that the 29-year-old was healthy enough to rejoin the big club. Since he was on the shelf for only about a week and a half due to the left oblique strain, Burger should be ready to reclaim an everyday role right away for the Rangers. Though he'll be used at DH in his first game back from the IL, Burger could end up settling in at first base if the Rangers elect to move super-utility man Josh Smith over to third base as a replacement for the struggling Josh Jung, who was demoted to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Burger (oblique) started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a walk in a rehab game for Double-A Frisco on Tuesday.
Burger begin what is expected to be a brief rehab assignment with Frisco and played seven innings in the field. The Rangers plan to activate him in time for Friday's game in San Diego.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Hits IL
Rotowire
The Rangers placed Burger on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to a strained left oblique.
Burger was removed from Friday's game with tightness in his left side, and further testing showed he suffered a strained left oblique. The Rangers recalled Justin Foscue from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Burger is slashing .220/.253/.403 with 10 home runs in 249 plate appearances this season.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Homer, three hits in win
Rotowire
Burger went 3-for-6 with a solo home run, three total RBI and an additional run scored in Thursday's 16-3 win over Minnesota.
Burger put the Rangers ahead for good with a solo shot off Bailey Ober in the second inning, his 10th homer of the year, before adding a pair of RBI singles later in the contest. The 29-year-old Burger has gone 7-for-20 (.350) with a pair of homers in his last four games, boosting his slash line to .225/.255/.421 with 28 RBI and 27 runs scored through 220 plate appearances this season.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Knocks in two in win
Rotowire
Burger went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Rockies.
Burger has hit safely in all three games since his return from the minors. The three-game run pushed his average to a season-high .202.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Logs hit in return to MLB
Rotowire
Burger started at first base and went 1-for-3 in Monday's 2-1 win over the Rockies.
Earlier Monday, Burger was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, where he spent the previous 10 days and batted .391 over six games. After getting on track in the minors, Burger should get the chance to take back a near-everyday role at first base, as Corey Seager's (hamstring) expected move to the injured list could result in Josh Smith (back) seeing more action at shortstop. Burger has thus far been a disappointment in his first season in Texas, slashing .194/.234/.330 with three home runs and a 29.7 percent strikeout rate over 111 plate appearances.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Eligible to return to big leagues
Rotowire
Burger is eligible to be called up to the Rangers' major-league roster Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Burger was sent down to Triple-A Round Rock on May 2 after struggling to a .190/.231/.330 slash line with three home runs, 12 RBI and 13 runs scored over 100 at-bats in 30 games with the Rangers to open the season. The righty bat has gone 9-for-23 with two home runs, six RBI and five runs scored over 23 at-bats in six games with Round Rock so far, and the Rangers may feel like they've seen enough to promote him back to the major-league roster in the near future.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Demoted to minors
Rotowire
Burger will be optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Burger has gotten off to a dreadful start in his first season with the Rangers, hitting just .190 with a 29.6 percent strikeout rate across 108 plate appearances. Nevertheless, his demotion comes as a significant surprise. Rosenthal reports that Burger's time in the minors should be short and is viewed as a way for him to reset.
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Rangers' Jake Burger: Sitting Saturday
Rotowire
Burger is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.
Burger's six-game hitting streak was put to an end Friday, as he struck out in all three of his at-bats. He'll get a chance to regroup Saturday while Josh Smith starts at first, opening up left field for Dustin Harris.
