Ryan Burr was released from the White Sox on June 13th. At the time, nobody thought much of the move. He owned a 6.00 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP in eight appearances this season.
Burr was effective out of the White Soz bullpen in 2021, which is why it was surprising to see his 2022 campaign get off rough to such a rough start. In 2021 Burr posted a superb 2.45 ERA in 35 games. Opponents were hitting just .224 against him and he did not allow a hit in his first four appearances. It took him 12.2 innings before he allowed a run.
Reliever’s performance can fluctuate from season to season (just ask Evan Marshall), but Burr’s 2022 season was a surprisingly rapid decline.
Burr revealed the reason why in a heartfelt Instagram post on Friday afternoon. According to Burr, he had a “significant slab tear” in the labrum of his throwing shoulder. The 28-year-old right-hander had been pitching through pain since the spring. To compensate for the pain, he got a cortisone shot and underwent rehab early in the season.
It eventually got to the point he could no longer pitch through the pain. Burr admitted that the mental effects of not being 100 percent were worse than the physical pain. It wore him down.
He consulted several Orthopedic Surgeons, family members, teammates, and “other confidants” and opted to get surgery on June 12th. The decision was made to prolong his pitching career. The following day the White Sox released him.
You can read his full Instagram post here:
Former White Sox reliever Ryan Burr shared the following on his Instagram pic.twitter.com/SWtOcJxFvh
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) July 8, 2022
When they got the news of his decision for surgery, they opted to release him to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. Because he was on the minor league injured list, the White Sox had the option to recall him and place him on the MLB 60-day DL or release him. Putting him on the MLB 60-day DL would require paying him his major league salary.
It’s understandable why Burr is frustrated. He put his body on the line pitching for the White Sox and expected the full support and resources of the White Sox organization during rehab.
Unfortunately, baseball is a business, and the White Sox are not above screwing over employees to benefit the company. But this is a pretty bad look from the White Sox organization. Jerry Reinsdorf has a reputation for “loyalty,” which is why Tony La Russa was hired. Burr certainly did not get the same luxury.
From the White Sox perspective, you need all the depth you can get when you are trying to contend for a championship window. The White Sox felt they could not afford to waste one of them for an injured middle reliever. It’s just the harsh reality of life in the MLB.
Burr was drafted by the Diamondbacks and acquired by the White Sox in 2017. He had appeared for the White Sox in the past four seasons. Hopefully, Burr’s surgery was successful, and he returns stronger than ever. He deserved better than this.
Burr should realize that baseball is a business, not merely a sport. That 1994 strike that cancelled the World Series is proof that it is more of a business than a sport.
Typical Ebenezer Reinsdorf move. Save every penny he can. I hope Burr can catch on with another team. He needs to use this as motivation. And, if he make it back… every time he pitches against the Sox… stuff it up their ass and tell Jerry that was for you.