Spoiler alert, it’s not a good update.
The White Sox selected Jake Burger with the 11th overall pick in the 2017 draft and he hasn’t played a game since tearing his Achilles during spring training in 2018. Three months later, the third base prospect tore his left Achilles tendon again.
Burger obviously missed all of 2018, but was hopeful to return to game action in 2019. He was playing in simulated games at extended spring training this past season, but suffered a setback because of a bruised heel.
The goal was then to have Burger play in the Arizona League before the league’s season was over, but that didn’t happen either. The next time frame was for Burger to play in the instructional league during the fall. He’s been rehabbing in Arizona at the White Sox spring training complex, but we haven’t heard much about his progress since August.
On Wednesday, White Sox GM Rick Hahn provided the first update on Burger in a few months. Unfortunately, Burger wasn’t able to play this fall either.
Burger, 23, last played in the minors on Sept. 4, 2017, at Single-A Kannapolis.
At this point, the White Sox are just hoping Burger can be healthy by the start of spring training.
Just some tough luck with injuries for Burger.
