Greg Burke (baseball) - Professional Career

Professional Career

On February 27, 2006, Burke signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres out of tryout camp. He played with the Atlantic City Surf, then of the Atlantic League in 2005. Burke split the 2006 season with Single-A Fort Wayne, then the Wizards, and High-A Lake Elsinore. Burke started at Lake Elsinore, where in 12 games, he had a 5.79 ERA as a reliever. He was then demoted to Fort Wayne, where as a starter, he went 6–5 with a 3.58 ERA while striking out 87 in 120.2 innings. Burke spent all of 2007 with Lake Elsinore, pitching 4–4 with a 5.23 ERA while striking out 67 in 96.1 innings pitched. Burke pitched 2008 with Double-A San Antonio, where he went 2–7 with a 2.24 ERA with 23 saves while striking out 92 in 84.1 innings. He was a mid-season all star in the Texas League. Burke began 2009 with Triple-A Portland, where he pitched 3–0 in 13 games with a 2.25 ERA. Burke was called up to the Padres' roster on May 15, 2009. In 48 games with the Padres, Burke pitched 3–3 with a 4.14 ERA while striking out 33. Burke spent all of 2010 with Portland, where he had a 5.68 ERA in 53 games while striking out 46. Burke spent all of 2011 with the Padres' new Triple-A affiliate, Tucson, where he pitched in a career-high 64 games, striking out 76 with a 5.70 ERA.

On February 10, 2012, Burke signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Burke began the year with Double-A Bowie, where he had a 1.53 ERA in 23 games with 20 strikeouts and 14 saves. Burke was promoted to Triple-A Norfolk, where he pitched 2–1 with a 1.53 ERA in 21 games with 30 strikeouts.

On November 7, 2012, Burke signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets with an invitation to spring training.