SAD NEWS: Jake Burger to Undergo Offseason Wrist Surgery but Vows to Return Stronger for Rangers’ 2026 Campaign
ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers slugger Jake Burger will begin his offseason with wrist tendon surgery, the club announced Tuesday, marking an unwelcome but necessary step for one of the lineup’s key power bats. Despite the setback, Burger and team officials expressed confidence that he will be fully ready for spring training in 2026.
Burger, 28, battled discomfort in his left wrist for much of the second half of the 2025 season, yet continued to provide crucial offense as the Rangers pushed through a tight postseason race. After extensive consultation with team doctors and specialists, surgery was deemed the best option to ensure long-term health.
“It’s not something you want to deal with, but it’s the right move,” Burger said in a brief media session. “I want to be 100 percent when we start next season, and this gives me the best chance to do that.”
The right-handed slugger delivered 29 home runs and 82 RBIs in 138 games, forming a formidable middle-of-the-order presence alongside Corey Seager and Adolis García. His ability to drive the ball to all fields provided balance to a lineup that often relied on the long ball for momentum.
Manager Bruce Bochy praised Burger’s toughness, noting that the third baseman often played through pain without complaint. “He gave us everything he had,” Bochy said. “The way he competed while dealing with that wrist says a lot about his character and his commitment to this team.”
Burger’s journey to this point has already been defined by perseverance. A former first-round pick of the Chicago White Sox, he overcame two Achilles tendon ruptures early in his career and worked his way back to the majors after multiple setbacks. Traded to the Rangers in a midseason deal last year, he quickly became a clubhouse favorite for his upbeat personality and tireless work ethic.
“He’s been through so much and keeps coming back stronger,” teammate Nathaniel Lowe said. “Nobody doubts he’ll handle this the same way.”
The procedure, scheduled for next week in Dallas, is expected to require eight to ten weeks of rehabilitation. Team medical staff anticipate that Burger will be able to resume baseball activities by mid-January, giving him a full runway for spring training.
Rangers fans have flooded social media with messages of support, turning Burger’s Instagram post about the surgery into a rallying point. Many shared highlights of his clutch home runs during the team’s late-season push, a reminder of the impact he made even while playing hurt.
For Burger, the offseason will be about patience and preparation. “I’ll attack the rehab like I do everything else,” he said. “The goal is to come back better, stronger, and ready to help us chase another playoff run.”
The Rangers, who fell just short of a repeat trip to the World Series, see Burger as an essential piece of their future. His power, steady glove at third base, and leadership in the clubhouse have quickly made him a cornerstone.
As Texas looks toward 2026, the organization and its fans know that Burger’s determination and proven resilience mean the story is far from over.
Leave a Reply