Burger, Martin make immediate impact in return off IL

PHOENIX -- As the calendar flips to September, the Rangers got some good news on the injury front: Corner infielder Jake Burger (left wrist discomfort) and reliever Chris Martin (left calf strain) were activated Monday prior to the team’s series-opening 7-5 victory over the D-backs at Chase Field.

The return of Burger comes at a time when Texas’ starting nine can use all of the reinforcements it can get following the recent loss of Corey Seager (appendectomy) and Marcus Semien (left foot fracture).

Burger, who was acquired last offseason in a deal with Miami, has scuffled to find his footing as his season has been perpetually interrupted by stints on the injured list, but he adds an experienced bat to the club’s quest to nab a spot in the 2025 postseason, whether via the American League West division crown or one of the three Wild Card spots.

There was no rehab stint this time around for Burger, who last appeared for the Rangers on Aug. 17.

Manager Bruce Bochy said pregame that the club would “pick our spots” with Burger, who was still dealing with residual issues from his wrist. He didn’t start Monday, but was expected to be among the starting nine Tuesday night.

But what a spot was picked for his first at-bat back. Pinch-hitting in the ninth inning with the Rangers trailing, Burger stepped in as the potential tying run. He didn’t knot things up himself, but he did rip an RBI triple into the right-center-field gap, turning on the burners for just his fifth three-bagger in 429 games as a Major Leaguer. When Cody Freeman dunked a game-tying hit later in the frame, it was Burger storming across the plate.

The 29-year-old didn’t go on a rehab stint but was able to get about 10 live at-bats in at the club’s complex in Surprise as a means of preparation.

Burger has scuffled to find his footing as his season has been perpetually interrupted by stints on the injured list, but he adds an experienced bat to the club’s quest to nab a spot in the 2025 postseason, whether via the American League West division crown or one of the three Wild Card spots.

Texas’ first-base options will remain aplenty. Rowdy Tellez was brought aboard on July 5 and promoted from Triple-A Round Rock less than two weeks later, giving the club a left-handed-hitting weapon at the cold corner. Tellez and Burger won’t form a true platoon; Bochy cited both Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran as options to also see time at first base over the final month. Ultimately, with no Seager or Semien, they’ll be getting creative and relying on their depth in an attempt to stay in the hunt.

With rosters expanding to 28 active players on Monday, the Rangers were also able to bring back Martin after just one rehab outing. While Bochy expressed hope pregame that he could get a “soft landing spot” for the 39-year-old, he cited his veteran experience as an antidote for whatever was thrown at him; it just so happened to be a tie game in the ninth outing for his first outing since July 20.

He worked around a one-out single to turn in a scoreless frame, ultimately earning the victory.

Martin has been one of Texas’ most reliable arms this season when healthy, posting a 2.29 ERA across 40 appearances. In his absence, the Rangers’ bullpen posted a 4.59 ERA as a whole.

“Obviously we hope he makes a huge impact on our bullpen,” Bochy said. “He’s another experienced high-leverage reliever to help out. … I think any time you have a guy with his experience late in the ball game, it really improves your ball club.”