HOUSTON -- Rangers utility infielder Jurickson Profar is the latest player to get "unplugged" by manager Jeff Banister.
That's the term Banister uses when he wants to give a slumping player a few days off. Profar was out of the lineup for the third straight game on Saturday after going 0-for-10 in his previous three starts, dropping his average to a season-low .283.
"Profar had gotten a little wayward with his swing and his approach,' Banister said. "I'll give him a break. Let's make sure he maintains his energy level. For all intents and purposes, he had been playing every day."
Four of his last five starts have come in the outfield, but that's likely to end with Carlos Beltrán being acquired from the Yankees on Monday and Shin-Soo Choo being activated off the disabled list on Thursday. The Rangers also optioned Hanser Alberto to Triple-A on Wednesday, leaving Profar as their primary utility infielder.
"I'm sure there will be a spot for him [Sunday]," Banister said.
Holland feeling good
Rangers pitcher Derek Holland, on the disabled list because of inflammation in his left shoulder, said everything went well during a two-inning rehab stint for Triple-A Round Rock against Oklahoma City on Friday night.
Holland pitched two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two. He threw 28 pitches and another 20 in the bullpen afterward.
"That was part of it to get my pitch count up to 50," Holland said. "Everything went according to plan. I thought it was a very good first outing. It will only get better from there."
Holland is pain-free and has also used his time off to make a mechanical adjustment with his arm slot. Holland said his arm slot was too high, and he has lowered it to where he is most effective.
He'll get another chance to test it on Wednesday at Round Rock. Holland has at least two more rehab starts before he is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list on Aug. 20.
Rangers beat
• Rangers broadcaster Matt Hicks was inducted into the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday night. Hicks was a broadcaster for the El Paso Diablos from 1995-2004.
• Reliever Tony Barnette threw a scoreless inning on Friday night and has not allowed a run in his last 14 2/3 innings. As of Saturday, that was tied for the third-longest active scoreless streak in the American League. He has allowed just one unearned run in his last 22 2/3 innings.
• Adrián Beltré's double on Friday was the 579th of his career as he moved past Wade Boggs into 21st all-time. Beltran also had a double. That was his 526th, moving him past Ted Williams and into a tie for 42nd all-time with Dave Parker.