Frustration Strikes: Rangers Reliever's Comeback Derailed
In a disappointing turn of events, Texas Rangers relief pitcher Brock Burke’s road to redemption hit a significant roadblock after he broke his non-throwing hand in a fit of frustration following a subpar outing against the Houston Astros. The 27-year-old lefty, who has been struggling to find his form this season with a bloated 15.00 ERA, allowed three hits and four runs in the seventh inning of the Rangers’ 12-8 win on Friday night.
Emotions ran high as Burke nearly hit Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez with three consecutive inside pitches before finally plunking him on the elbow. Kyle Tucker then sent Burke’s next offering deep into the second deck in left field for his second homer of the game, punctuating the shot with an emphatic bat flip. Overwhelmed by the disappointing performance, Burke let his emotions get the better of him and punched a wall out of sheer frustration, resulting in a broken right hand.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy confirmed the unfortunate incident, stating, “We want our guys, our athletes to be competitive and hate to lose, but with that passion there’s a fine edge, and when you cross that line there’s going to be consequences. And we just saw what happened there. You love the fact that he was upset with not helping the club last night … but it just wasn’t a smart move.”
Bochy denied any allegations that Burke intentionally threw at Alvarez, attributing the errant pitches to the reliever’s struggles with command and control. “Any team would be upset in that situation with pitches, when he’s struggling trying to throw strikes,” Bochy explained. “Four pitches go at their guy. Just like we’re going to be upset. But Burke was out there … because he’s trying to find his game. He wouldn’t have been in that game if he had good command and control.”
The injury has forced the Rangers to place Burke on the injured list, further delaying his efforts to regain his form and contribute to the team’s success. Bochy admitted that he has yet to discuss the incident with Burke but plans to have a conversation with him about the consequences of his actions.
“Obviously he regrets it,” Bochy said. “Sometimes you don’t have time to think about what the consequences may be. You’re just that upset and that frustrated. That’s the passion to do well (and) hate to lose. It’s not the first time I’ve seen it.”
The Rangers called up right-hander Austin Pruitt from Triple-A Round Rock to take Burke’s spot on the roster, but the team will undoubtedly feel the impact of losing a key bullpen arm during a crucial stretch of the season. Burke’s injury serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining composure and emotional control, even in the face of adversity.
As the Rangers look to regroup and continue their push for postseason contention, Burke’s road to redemption has taken an unexpected detour. The challenge now lies in his ability to recover not only physically but also mentally, channeling his passion and determination into a more constructive approach to his comeback. The baseball world eagerly awaits his return, hoping that this setback will only fuel his fire to emerge stronger and more resilient on the mound.