Texas Rangers left-hander Brock Burke (hand) has been sent to the Arizona Complex League Rangers in the Rookie league on a minor-league rehab assignment. Burke is scheduled to pitch for the ACL Rangers in Thursday's game against the ACL Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Burke is trying to recover from a broken right (non-throwing) hand that landed him on the injured list on April 13. The 27-year-old southpaw had allowed five earned runs on nine hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out five in three innings out of the Texas bullpen earlier this year before going on the shelf. Since he's currently on the 60-day injured list, Burke will not be eligible to return to the team's big-league bullpen until June 12. When healthy, Burke isn't on the fantasy radar in a middle-relief role.
Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young isn't ruling out the possibility that left-hander Brock Burke could close some games for the team in 2023. Burke made his major-league debut as a starter for the Rangers in 2019 and had a 7.43 ERA (6.55 FIP) and 1.54 WHIP in his first six starts. But he was much better as a reliever in his return to the majors in 2022, going 7-5 with a sharp 1.97 ERA (3.29 FIP), 1.06 WHIP and 27.4 percent strikeout rate in 82 1/3 relief innings over 52 appearances. The 26-year-old gained some velocity with the transition to a relief role and could be in line for some high-leverage work at the back end of Texas' bullpen alongside fellow setup man Jonathan Hernandez and Jose Leclerc. Burke probably isn't worth a draft pick in shallow mixed leagues, but he should certainly be on the radar of saves speculators and deep holds leagues in 2023.
Brock Burke Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Texas Rangers pitcher Brock Burke (shoulder) underwent labrum surgery on Friday in Arlington. The pitching prospect made his major league debut in 2019, and was expected to be one of the first hurlers called up should one of the Rangers starting five go down. The news came down on Tuesday that Burke needed the surgery, and the recovery is expected to take 12 months. That timetable would suggest he could be back in the majors by midseason in 2021 with the recovery and rehab needed to get back to the level required to pitch in the majors. If you play in a deep dynasty league and have some patience, Burke is worth a late stash in leagues with a lot of IL spots.
Texas Rangers pitcher Brock Burke (shoulder) will have season-ending shoulder surgery on Friday. One of the top pitching prospects in the Rangers organization battled shoulder pain in 2019, and the hope was that an offseason of rest would be enough to avoid surgery. It's a blow for the 23-year old southpaw, as he was expected to challenge for a rotation spot this season after pitching in six games last year. If there is a silver lining to all of this, it's that injured players cannot be optioned, and Burke will spend all of 2020 on the major league injury list. So if you're in a deep keeper or dynasty league with enough injury spots, he could be worth a stash for 2021 and beyond.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Brock Burke allowed one run in six innings Sunday in a loss to the White Sox. Burke allowed two hits and three walks while striking out five on the afternoon. Burke has now allowed only one run through his first 12 MLB innings. The left-hander primarily pitched in Double-A this season with a 3.18 ERA and a 2.76 FIP. He had a 26.6 percent strikeout rate across Double-A and Triple-A and is one of the top prospects in the Rangers system. He's worth a speculative add in fantasy to see how long he keeps this up, especially with a nice matchup against Seattle lined up for Friday.
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Brock Burke will draw the start against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. This will be his major league debut, but he'll be sent down right after this start. He's posting a 3.90 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings in the minors this season. He probably won't be the best fantasy option for Tuesday, but could have some streaming value for desperate owners.
Texas Rangers SP Brock Burke worked two perfect innings with three strikeouts in a Cactus League split-squad spring game against the San Diego Padres. Burke is listed among the organization's Top 10 prospects, and he gives the organization a bevy of good young arms along with Hans Crouse, Cole Winn and Joe Palumbo. Burke posted a 6-1 record with a 1.95 ERA across nine starts with Double-A Montgomery last season, so he is one to watch. He might not break camp with the team, but those in long-term keeper fantasy formats will want to file the name away and keep close tabs on him in the minors.
