SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Jurickson Profar is considered the top prospect in baseball, and has been a talking point all off-season as the Rangers prepare for the 2013 season. Profar was the central figure again Tuesday afternoon, as general manager Jon Daniels fielded questions on the eve before pitchers and catchers work out for the first time today.
Profar, 19, is still undecided on whether he'll play for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, or forgo it to boost his chances to break camp with the big-league team. Profar could get a long look to be a bench piece for the Rangers, but he needs to be in camp to show he can handle the role."I think he's legitimately torn," Daniels said. "It's a heck of an opportunity for him to represent his country [in the WBC], and the Netherlands has a young, exciting club. It's a pretty neat deal."For him to make the [Rangers], it's not something where he can come in and hit .500 and that's all. To make the club in this sort of role, you've got to be able to play different positions on different days, come off the bench, defend, pinch run, know the cutoffs and relays and bunt defenses at multiple positions."Daniels said Profar can improve his chances of making the team by being versatile. But he added that the team views him as an infielder and that it's unlikely he will play outfield.Daniels reitereated that Profar would only be with the team if he had a significant role. If not, Profar is headed to Triple A Round Rock."We're not interested in having a young prospect sit on the bench and play 30 games over the course of the season," Daniels said.McClellan on LohseKyle Lohse won 16 games and posted a 2.86 ERA last season, but remains without a job as pitchers and catchers report to spring training sites in Arizona and Florida.Kyle McClellan is just as surprised as anyone at that. He pitched with Lohse the past five years with the St. Louis Cardinals, calling him "the most consistent pitcher we had.""When he went out there, you knew you had a chance to win," McClellan said. "I don't care what his statistical numbers are ... that guy can pitch and he can help a club. I'm sure there are some teams laying in the weeds that would love to have him and he's going to help somebody."Just don't expect it to be the Rangers. Jon Daniels said the club is unlikely to add any more pitchers.Injury reportColby Lewis was all smiles when he reported to camp with the rest of pitchers and catchers Tuesday. Lewis has had a flawless recovery so far from surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow.Lewis has been long-tossing and will meet with team physician Keith Meister today to map out a rehab schedule. The hope is that Lewis can be ready by June 1."My body is going to tell me when I'm ready," Lewis said. "If it's before, it's before. If it's on time, then it's right on time. I definitely don't want to push the issue and come back a couple weeks early or a month early and not be ready for the push."BrieflyThe Rangers agreed to terms on one-year contracts with eight players Tuesday. They are pitchers Robbie Ross ($497,400), Michael Kirkman ($495,800), Justin Grimm ($491,000), Neil Ramirez ($490,000), Cory Burns ($492,000), Justin Miller ($490,000) and Jeff Beliveau ($492,000), as well as infielder Mike Olt ($492,000).Jon Daniels said he had no new information on Nelson Cruz's status. As of now, the team is operating as though he will not be suspended after he was linked to a Miami-based anti-aging clinic that reportedly supplied him performance-enhancing drugs.Reliever Joakim Soria, recovering from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, was pleased with how his first throws off a mound went Monday. He is scheduled to throw 15-pitch bullpen sessions today and Friday.Justin Miller, also recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw his first bullpen session Tuesday. Neftali Feliz and Matt West, who both had Tommy John surgery in August, are throwing up to 60 feet.Drew Davison, 817-390-7760Twitter: @drewdavisonHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
