Rangers limiting Profar due to shoulder tendinitis
Competing for second-base job, infielder won't hit, throw until pain subsides
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Infielder Jurickson Profar came to camp with the goal of being the Rangers' second baseman on Opening Day. Now the goal is just to have him healthy on Opening Day.
Profar is dealing with tendinitis in his right shoulder and is still experiencing discomfort. The Rangers are going to curtail his activities until this problem goes away.
"It's not like it's a long-term deal," general manager Jon Daniels said. "It's just the nature and the timing of it. There's not much room for error as far as the timeline for Opening Day. It's not something we want to be lingering. We want to try and get this knocked out."
Profar will not throw for at least another week. He has been taking batting practice, but the Rangers want him to stop that as well for the time being. He can take ground balls and participate in fielding drills as long as he's not throwing.
The Rangers were hoping Profar could be used at designated hitter to start the Cactus League, but that may be rushing it. As far as playing second base, Daniels said it won't be until the second or third week of March.
"There's not much room for another setback," Daniels said.
Profar played 25 games in the Dominican Winter League this offseason without a problem, but hurt the shoulder lifting weights afterwards in Curacao. He had an MRI three weeks ago that revealed the inflammation, but no structural damage. He had an anti-inflammatory injection, but the problem still persists.
Daniels said the club is not looking outside for infield help. Texas has four candidates for the utility infield spot: Adam Rosales, Brent Lillibridge, Josh Wilson and Kensuke Tanaka.