MLB Game Preview - Seattle at Texas

Sat Aug 31, 2019 8:35 PM EDT

When tragedy strikes, it becomes apparent what a small world baseball really is.

And how teammates are really an extended family.

On Tuesday, Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Blake Bivens lost his wife, infant son and mother-in-law in a triple-murder allegedly carried out by his brother-in-law.

"Two days ago my heart was turned to ash," Bivens said in an Instagram post Thursday. "My life as I knew it is destroyed."

For Texas Rangers rookie pitcher Brock Burke and Seattle Mariners rookie outfielder Jake Fraley, it hit close to home.

Burke, a left-hander, is scheduled to start Saturday against the Mariners. He, Bivens and Fraley were all teammates last season with the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Florida State League.

Burke was the Rays' third-round pick in 2014, and they selected Bivens in the next round.

"I've known him the past five years," Burke said. "I played with him at just about every level. I'm really good buddies with him."

Fraley, a Tampa Bay second-round pick in 2016, said his wife was very close to Bivens' wife.

"I have a job to do," a subdued Fraley told MLB.com. "But we're just waiting to hear from Blake and see what's going to happen next."

Burke said he wants to call his friend, but, "I wouldn't even know where to start with what to say."

"I figured I'd give him a little bit of time and see how he handles it. I'm sure he's hearing a lot from a lot of people," Burke said. "I've been talking with a lot of guys we both played with, and they're wondering the same thing. We said we'll leave him alone for a little bit and just pray for him."

Fraley, acquired by the Mariners in an offseason trade with Mallex Smith for Mike Zunino, Guillermo Heredia and a minor league pitcher, was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Aug. 20. Fraley is batting .179 in eight games.

Burke, acquired by Texas in a three-team trade with Tampa Bay and Oakland in the offseason, was called up from Triple-A Nashville on Aug. 20, the same day Fraley was promoted.

Burke (0-1, 0.75 ERA) has pitched six innings in each of his first two big league starts, against the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox. He has allowed a total of one run on six hits with five walks and nine strikeouts.

The 6-foot-4 Burke averages 7 feet of extension, which is tied for the third best by a lefty in the majors this season.

"It's something you just can't teach," Rangers manager Chris Woodward said. "He is pretty deceptive. His arm is late coming over the top, so it's hard to see anyway, and the ball just gets on you. On top of that, he has velocity. He is really effective."

The Mariners plan to use a reliever as an opener before turning over the ball to Tommy Milone (3-8, 5.08 ERA). The veteran left-hander is 4-6 with a 4.73 ERA in 13 career starts against the Rangers, including 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in three appearances this season.

The Rangers evened the series at a game apiece with a 6-3 victory Friday as Jose Trevino went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.

--Field Level Media