SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers second baseman Jurickson Profar, who came to spring training with shoulder tendinitis, felt discomfort on Monday and will not throw for another week.
The setback pushes Profar's timetable to appear in Cactus League games at second base to the second or third week of March.
"There's not much room for another setback as far as getting ready for Opening Day," general manager Jon Daniels said.
Daniels said Profar had an MRI three weeks ago and was given a cortisone injection shortly thereafter. He attempted to throw on Monday and felt the discomfort, so the club decided to limit his throws and his swings for now. He still will do fielding drills at second base and could be a designated hitter early in the Cactus League season. But he will now be behind the other position players.
The full squad works out for the first time on Thursday.
If Profar is unable to start on Opening Day -- March 31 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Park in Arlington -- the internal candidates at second base would include Adam Rosales, Brent Lillibridge, Kensuke Tanaka and Josh Wilson. Daniels said the club isn't aggressively pursuing external options.
Profar, who turns 21 on Thursday, hit .234 with six homers and 26 RBIs in 85 games (324 plate appearances) last season. He moved around to a variety of spots as he didn't have a regular position.
That changed in November, when the Rangers dealt Ian Kinsler to the Detroit Tigers for Prince Fielder, opening up the starting second base job for Profar.
"The nature of the timing of it means there's not much room for error in terms of the timeline for Opening Day," Daniels said. "But it's not something that should be a lingering thing. But we've got to get this knocked out. That's the priority."
