ARLINGTON, Texas — On Friday, the Texas Rangers made the decision to send Jake Burger, a once-promising hitter now struggling, to Triple-A Round Rock. This adjustment comes as the entire lineup battles with a lack of offensive output. The announcement came just before the Rangers’ disappointing 13-1 defeat to Seattle, who leads the AL West, in the first game of a three-game set.
Burger, who plays first base and was a significant offseason addition for the team, has been batting a mere .190. In 100 at-bats over 30 games, he’s managed just three home runs, 12 RBIs, and led the team with 32 strikeouts. Chris Young, the president of baseball operations for the Rangers, commented on Burger’s assignment, “It’s about him returning to his best self, a necessary mental reset. His performance, whether fair or not, stands out amid the team’s broader struggles. We’re not playing at the level we should be.”
In a corresponding move, the Rangers brought Blaine Crim up from Triple-A. Crim joined the major league lineup as a first baseman, but during his debut, he went 0 for 3 and struck out twice. Despite the challenging start, Crim had been performing well at Round Rock, boasting a .313 average, with seven homers and 25 RBIs in 28 games. In addition, infielder Jonathan Ornelas was recalled, while Nick Ahmed was designated for assignment to create roster space for Crim.
The team has been on a rough path, dropping eight of their last ten games. Though they amassed 29 runs across this span, 15 came from one standout performance against Oakland earlier in the week. For the other games, their offense faltered, producing just 14 runs, including a rare 2-0 victory. Currently, the Rangers rank last in the American League with a total of 104 runs, and their recent loss has brought their record to 16-17, pushing them below .500 for the first time since the opening loss of the season to Boston.
Chris Young emphasized that the roster changes had no hidden meanings and were purely a reflection of their commitment to winning: “We’re struggling offensively right now. Players who are performing will be given chances to play.” As for Joc Pederson, another key offseason acquisition, his form has been disheartening. With a batting average sitting at .104, and enduring a significant 0-for-41 slump, he faces the longest hitless spell for the franchise since 1974.
Burger was originally acquired from Miami during the winter meetings in December. He had showcased strong power last season with 29 homers and 76 RBIs for the Marlins, following his previous successful stint with Chicago White Sox, where he hit 34 homers and 80 RBIs before being traded to Miami. Manager Bruce Bochy expressed confidence that Burger would return, better prepared to contribute significantly, saying, “We want him in an environment where he can relax, find his swing again. He’ll be back and play a crucial role in our victories this year.”