The Texas Rangers reportedly demoted slugger Jake Burger to Triple-A Round Rock after being shut out by the Athletics on Thursday afternoon.
The move packs significance because Burger smacked 63 homers over the previous two seasons.
Texas acquired Burger from the Miami Marlins last December to help pump up the offense. Burger slugged 29 homers for the Marlins last season. He hit a career-best 34 – 25 for the Chicago White Sox, nine for the Marlins – during the 2023 season.
Burger, 29, went 1-for-3 on Thursday against the Athletics. He is batting .190 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 30 games.
The Rangers have been near the bottom in runs all season and have scored just 103 in 32 games.
Texas is reportedly promoting Round Rock first baseman Blaine Crim. The 27-year-old Crim is batting .313 with seven homers and 25 RBIs 28 games.
Crim, who has yet to play in the majors, was a 19th-round draft selection by the Rangers in 2019.
Rangers general manager Chris Young warned earlier this week that he was on the verge of recalling help from Triple-A.
