ARLINGTON -- Delino DeShields understands that the left-field situation is going to require patience. He can handle it.
"I'm a pretty patient guy," DeShields said.
DeShields had an outstanding spring for the Rangers, hitting .323 with a .442 on-base percentage and leading the Majors in stolen bases, with 14. But he still wasn't in the lineup on Opening Day with right-hander Corey Kluber pitching for the Indians.
Jurickson Profar started against Kluber. Profar is 3-for-5 for with a home run in his career against Kluber; DeShields and Ryan Rua have never faced him.
"I know what I can do," DeShields said. "I showed everybody that; I had a really good spring. I'm not going to let it affect me or take away from what I did in the offseason or Spring Training. Whether it's me or the next guy, I'll support whoever is out there. I have to stay mentally prepared. I might still get into the game and help my team get a 'W.'"
Manager Jeff Banister said there will be a different left fielder on Tuesday against Carlos Carrasco, although he didn't say who it would be.
"Out of the game, we are going to look at what we feel are the best matchups for each individual guy," Banister said.
Profar got a start on his first Major League Opening Day.
"It's good," Profar said. "[Banister] told us yesterday, we all deserve to be there. I worked hard in the offseason, and they did, too. They came ready for Spring Training, too. When I get the chance, I'm going to make the most of it and help the team. If they get the start, they'll do the same."
Rangers beat
• Shortstop Elvis Andrus was in the lineup for the ninth straight Opening Day. Former catcher Ivan Rodriguez and infielder Michael Young were in 11 straight Opening Day lineups for the Rangers. Andrus is tied with former catcher Jim Sundberg for the third most consecutive Opening Day starts.
• Profar is the fifth left fielder for the Rangers in the past five Opening Days, following David Murphy (2013), Shin-Soo Choo (2014), Rua (2015) and Ian Desmond (2016).
• Adrian Beltre, starting the season on the disabled list, watched his streak of 15 Opening Day starts come to an end. He was tied with James Rollins and Jose Pujols for the longest such streak in the Majors.
• Nomar Mazara started in right field for the Rangers, breaking a streak of 10 years in which the Rangers' Opening Day right fielder had exactly four letters in his name. He follows Sammy Sosa (2007), Marlon Byrd (2008), Nelson Cruz (2009-13), Alex Rios (2014) and Choo (2015-16).