ARLINGTON — Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger once set this weekend’s series vs. the Philadelphia Phillies as the date for his expected return from a quad strain.
Now, Burger said Monday, “it’s kind of a fluid, ongoing discussion.” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Burger “will let us know” when he’s able to return from the injured list.
Burger will have the chance to Tuesday when he restarts his minor league rehab assignment with a to-be-determined affiliate team. Burger, who has not played for the Rangers since July 12, went 1 for 8 in two games with Double-A Frisco this past weekend.
He said that he felt “pretty good” during the two games and that his quad does not hurt. The biggest hurdle left is his ability to run full speed. Bochy said that the Rangers will effectively stretch Burger out in the minor leagues as they would a pitcher post-injury.
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“I don’t feel like it’s going to be my full 110%, look like I’m running really hard [initially],” Burger said. “But I think if I can get it to 90% on a consistent basis I feel pretty confident with that.”
Here are updates on three other injured Rangers players.
RHP Josh Sborz (shoulder): The Rangers have paused Sborz’s ramp-up with the hope that a de-load could help spike his velocity. Sborz, who has not yet pitched this season after offseason shoulder surgery, hasn’t been able to throw his fastball nearly as hard as his career averages in any of his seven minor league rehab appearances. It only averaged 90.9 mph in his most recent game with Triple-A Round Rock on July 31. It averaged nearly 97 mph as recently as two years ago.
RHP Chris Martin (calf): Martin has been sidelined with a left calf strain since July 21 but he played catch Monday afternoon. The 39-year-old’s next step is to throw off of a mound, which he expects to happen soon. Bochy said at the time that Martin was placed on the injured list that he could be out for four-to-six weeks.
LHP Robert Garcia (back): Garcia left Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners with back spasms but was available to pitch vs. the Yankees Monday. Scans on Garcia’s back revealed no structural damage.
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