Rangers reliever Brock Burke broke his non-throwing hand by punching a wall after a poor outing

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Brock Burke reacts after giving up a two-run home run to Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox) (Kevin M. Cox, Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON ā€“ Texas Rangers reliever Brock Burke broke his non-throwing hand while punching a wall following a poor outing Friday night against the Houston Astros.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Burke, who is a left-hander, broke his right hand when he punched the wall ā€œout of frustration" and was placed on the injured list Saturday.

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The 27-year-old allowed three hits and four runs in the seventh inning of his team's 12-8 win.

ā€œWe want our guys, our athletes to be competitive and hate to lose, but with that passion thereā€™s a fine edge, and when you cross that line thereā€™s going to be consequences,ā€ Bochy said. ā€œAnd we just saw what happened there. You love the fact that he was upset with not helping the club last night ... but it just wasnā€™t a smart move.ā€

Burke is making $1,035,000 this season and will continue to earn his salary while out with the injury.

The Astros were unhappy at Burke's plunking of the elbow of slugger Yordan Alvarez after almost hitting him on three previous pitches inside. Alvarez stared Burke down before trotting to first base. Kyle Tucker sent Burke's next pitch into the second deck in left field for his second home of the game and punctuated it with a bat flip.

Bochy denied that Burke, who has a 15.00 ERA in five appearances this season, was trying to hit Alvarez.

ā€œAny team would be upset in that situation with pitches, when heā€™s struggling trying to throw strikes,ā€ Bochy said. ā€œFour pitches go at their guy. Just like weā€™re going to be upset. But Burke was out there ā€¦ because heā€™s trying to find his game. He wouldnā€™t have been in that game if he had good command and control.ā€

Bochy said he hasn't had a chance to talk to Burke about what happened yet, but he plans to have a conversation about it.

ā€œObviously, he regrets it,ā€ Bochy said. ā€œSometimes you donā€™t have time to think about what the consequences may be. Youā€™re just that upset and that frustrated. Thatā€™s the passion to do well (and) hate to lose. Itā€™s not the first time Iā€™ve seen it.ā€

In 2022, Astros reliever Phil Maton broke his right pinkie when he punched a locker in frustration after Houstonā€™s regular-season finale, causing him to miss the postseason.

In 2004, Yankees right-hander Kevin Brown broke his non-pitching hand when he punched a wall in the clubhouse.

Right-hander Austin Pruitt was called up from Triple-A Round Rock to take Burke's spot on the roster.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB


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