Report: Rangers demote slumping Burger after latest shutout loss

The Texas Rangers are trying to shake up their listless offense by sending out one of their biggest offseason acquisitions.

Texas is reportedly optioning slumping first baseman Jake Burger to Triple-A Round Rock, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. First base prospect Blaine Crim will be promoted to the majors in a corresponding move.

Burger has one minor-league option remaining, allowing the Rangers to send him out. The team views the move as a chance for him to "reset" and hopes he'll return to the majors soon, according to Rosenthal.

Texas acquired Burger from the Miami Marlins in December for three prospects after trading longtime first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to Washington. Burger emerged as a dependable power bat over the last few seasons, hitting 34 home runs in 2023 and 29 last year.

However, the 29-year-old's power has gone missing in Arlington. Over Burger's first 30 games with the Rangers, he's hit .190/.231/.330 with three homers and 32 strikeouts. He entered play Thursday sporting a 55 wRC+, which ranked in the 15 lowest marks among qualified hitters this year.

Burger's reported demotion comes during a team-wide power outage that's left the Rangers with a minus-12 run differential. Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Athletics marked Texas' fourth shutout loss of the young season and seventh consecutive game without a home run. The Rangers have scored the second-fewest runs (103) in baseball this season, ahead of only the Colorado Rockies.

Crim, who will reportedly replace Burger on the active roster, will make his MLB debut when he gets into a game. The 27-year-old, now in his third go-around at Triple-A, is hitting .313/.365/.535 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs over 28 games with Round Rock this season.

Texas will need to make an additional move to clear a 40-man roster spot for Crim before Friday's game.