78 Jake Burger 3B

Burger was optioned to Double-A Birmingham on Tuesday.

Manager Tony La Russa mentioned the 24-year-old as a potential candidate for designated hitter early in camp, but he always faced long odds of cracking the Opening Day roster. Burger received some reps in an independent league last season and hasn't seen game action in affiliated ball since 2017 due to Achilles issues. He had a .271/.335/.409 slash line with four home runs, nine doubles and 27 RBI in 47 games at Low-A before the injury in 2017.

Burger started at third base and went 0-for-3 in Sunday's spring game against the Brewers.

This was Burger's first game action since Feb. 2018, when he ruptured his left Achilles. The 2017 first-round draft pick then missed 2019 with a second Achilles injury and didn't play during 2020. Burger filled in at third base for Yoan Moncada (arm) and is reportedly in the mix for designated hitter, though it would seem he needs work in the minors after a three-year layoff.

Burger was listed by manager Tony La Russa as a potential designated hitter this season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Andrew Vaughn is considered the favorite for the job, but Burger also has some prospect pedigree himself. He hit .271/.335/.409 at the Low-A level in 2017 after being taken 11th overall in that year's draft, but Achilles issues wiped out his next two seasons. With the minor leagues canceled last year, he was forced to join an independent league to get some at-bats. His lack of high-level minors experience means he's probably a long shot at best to crack the Opening Day squad, but he's on the team's 40-man roster so it might not be too long before he gets his shot.

Burger's contract was purchased by the White Sox on Friday.

Burger's pro career has been greatly affected by Achilles injuries, but as the 11th overall pick in 2017, the team is too invested in his development to leave him exposed to the Rule 5 draft at this juncture. He is fully healthy but turns 25 in April and has never played above Low-A. Given his age and standing on the 40-man roster, he will probably be thrown into the deep end at some point during the 2021 season to see how he fares against upper-level pitching prospects.

Burger (Achilles) was added to the White Sox's 60-man player pool Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Burger was playing in an independent league to get reps this season after he was left off the team's 60-man roster, but he'll now get to work at alternate camp in Schaumburg. He hasn't seen any game action since 2017 due to Achilles issues, and it's unclear whether he's game ready for the shortened 2020 season.

Burger (Achilles) will play in a local St. Louis league to get game reps in this season, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Burger hasn't gotten any game action in since 2017 due to Achilles issues. With minor-league games cancelled this season, he'll have to turn elsewhere for reps. He hasn't been included in the White Sox's 60-man player pool but will be allowed to play independent ball in order to stay sharp.

Burger (Achilles) has been taking swings and working out at the White Sox complex in Glendale (Ariz.), Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Chicago general manager Rick Hahn discussed Burger's possible return, hoping the team's top pick in the 2017 draft can enter spring training 2020 as part of an affiliate. He hasn't played since Sept. 2017 due to Achilles and heel injuries, so targeting a return is more art than science. "There is a little bit of projection involved when you are dealing with health," Hahn said. "He's well on his way. There's been the second rupture, or the revision it's technically called, [which] was pretty stunning for everyone. Usually the Achilles going out is a shock to the system, but nobody really envisions it happening twice." Hahn added that Burger will remain a third baseman.

Burger (Achilles) is hoping to be able to play in the instructional league this fall, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

He originally had been targeting making it back before the end of the AZL season, but that no longer seems realistic. Burger has not played in a game since 2017 due to multiple Achilles injuries.

Burger (heel) may be able to return in time to see action in the AZL this season, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

He has not played in a game since 2017 due to multiple Achilles injuries. Playing in AZL games would be the equivalent of a rehab assignment for the 23-year-old third baseman. If he is unable to get back before the end of the AZL season, he may play in instructs.

Burger (Achilles) has been delayed by a bruised left heel, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Burger was expected to return from a ruptured left Achilles around June 1 but was unable to hit that target. The injury isn't considered significant, but it will be at least another week before he reports to an affiliate.

Burger (Achilles) is playing in simulated games at extended spring training, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Burger is slowly working his way back from a ruptured Achilles that he suffered in February of 2018. Barring any setbacks, the 2017 first-round pick could be cleared to play in live games at extended spring training in the near future, which would likely mark the final step in his recovery process before he's cleared to report to a minor-league affiliate.

Burger (Achilles) took groundballs at third base Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Burger was cleared for the activity this week and went immediately to the field to work on his defense. He had been hitting since November. The 2017 first-round draft pick missed all of 2018 after tearing his left Achilles during training camp last year. His return to game action should happen later this summer.

Burger (Achilles) remains on target to return to an affiliate June 1, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The date remains a loose target, but it's at least a positive that his timetable hasn't gotten pushed back after he re-tore his tendon in May. The 2017 11th overall pick posted strong numbers in his first professional season but missed the entirety of last year due to the injury.

Burger (Achilles) is no longer wearing a walking boot, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Burger has been out since February due a ruptured Achilles, which he re-tore back in May. The young third baseman is hoping to resume baseball activities sometime after Jan. 1, with a return to game action tentatively lined up for the beginning of June.

Burger retore his Achilles and is slated to miss the next 12 months, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He ruptured his Achilles in late February and then apparently retore it while at home last week. The initial timetable was a year, and now that he has experienced the same injury he likely won't return until May of 2019, at which point he will be 23 years old and have zero experience above Low-A. Burger's classic offensive profile at third base makes him worth hanging onto in deeper dynasty leagues, but he can be cut loose in formats where only 150 prospects are rostered.

Burger will undergo season-ending surgery Thursday to repair a ruptured left Achilles' tendon, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The White Sox announced the diagnosis Tuesday after Burger suffered the injury while running out a grounder a day earlier in a Cactus League game against the Athletics. The 11th overall pick in last June's first-year player draft, Burger was likely looking at a deployment at Low-A Kannapolis or High-A Winston-Salem to begin the campaign, but the serious injury represents a dramatic setback to his developmental timeline.

Burger has been diagnosed with a ruptured left Achilles and will miss the 2018 season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

This is a big blow for one of the White Sox's top hitting prospects, as it pushes back his big-league ETA by at least a year. Burger should now be discounted significantly in dynasty-league drafts, as he will be unable to improve his stock until 2019. He has the potential to someday offer Mike Moustakas-esque production at the hot corner, but likely won't reach the majors until 2020 or 2021.

Burger injured his left Achilles tendon Monday, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Burger went down in a heap while running out a grounder to first, and he was down for several minutes before ultimately being taken off the field in a cart. Further specifics regarding the severity of injury should surface in the coming days after he's further evaluated.

Burger has been removed from Monday's Cactus League game against the Athletics with an apparent leg injury, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Burger appeared to suffer the injury while running out a groundball. He was down for several minutes before leaving on a cart. The 2017 first-round pick hit .271/.335/.409 for Low-A Kannapolis last season.

Burger has been invited to the White Sox's major-league camp this spring, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Burger is still a year or two away from the majors, but the White Sox will nonetheless give their 2017 first-round pick a look during spring to see how he fares against major-league competition. The 21-year-old held his own in his first season of pro ball, hitting a combined .263/.336/.412 with five homers in 51 games across two levels. He has an impressive hit tool that could see him produce 25-30 homers with a .275 average when he ultimately arrives in the majors.