ARLINGTON -- The Rangers demoted first baseman Jake Burger to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. Additionally, Texas selected Minor League first baseman Blaine Crim, whom the club selected in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, recalled infielder Jonathan Ornelas and designated Nick Ahmed for assignment.
Burger was one of the Rangers’ biggest offseason acquisitions, but has been one of many players struggling in the first month of the season. He’s hitting .190 with a .561 OPS in 30 games as the Rangers’ primary first baseman.
The Rangers traded for Burger in hopes that he would add some much-needed thump to the lineup. He was coming off a 29-homer season with 76 RBIs for the Marlins in 2024. In ‘23, he hit a career-high 34 homers with the White Sox and Marlins and recorded an .827 OPS.
Crim, 27, has raked at every level of the Minors, hitting .296 with an .879 OPS across six seasons. With Triple-A Round Rock, he’s slashing .313/.365/.565 with seven homers this season. His first appearance will be his Major League debut.