Burger returns; Texas OF questions remain
Aug 9 2025
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Texas Rangers
NEWS: 1B/DH Jake Burger returns from the IL for Texas, but who plays the outfield against RHP?
IMPACT: High
BHQ SPIN: Rookie OF Alejandro Osuna was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Burger. Osuna had been manning LF against RHP since OF Evan Carter went on the IL, so his demotion creates a bit of a gap in left and a glut in the Rangers’ lineup at the corner IF/DH slots against right-handed pitching. Texas didn’t have to address that on Burger’s first night back on 8/8, as they faced a lefty starter, and UT Josh Smith got the night off. But expect suddenly hot DH Joc Pederson to continue to get starts. That leaves Burger, Smith, and 3B Josh Jung to vie for two corner IF positions… unless Smith...
Almost!
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