Jurickson Profar to start season in minors

General manager Jon Daniels said that the medical reports on Jurickson Profar continue to be encouraging, but the infielder is headed toward opening the season in the minor leagues.

Daniels admitted that the Rangers were too aggressive last year with the rehab of Profar’s injury, a torn teres major muscle. The original injury came in late March, was aggravated twice, and he missed the entire 2014 season. Surgery would become an option if he has another setback.

The Opening Day roster is almost certain not an option.

“Probably not,” Daniels said. “He needs to play. We’re not going to keep him as our utility guy.”

That means that Rougned Odor will be the Rangers’ starter at second base, the position Profar was going to play last year before his injury woes. It would also seem to increase the likelihood that Elvis Andrus is not traded this off-season.

Profar will begin a throwing program in January, assuming he continues to have no issues. Daniels said that this recovery is different because it is a more cautious rehab and Profar is more physically equipped to handle the rehab.

“We’ve been more conservative and patient, and he’s starting from the point where he’s a bigger man,” Daniels said. “There more muscle supporting the joint.”

The Rangers also have no intention to deal Profar.

“We designed this progress like he’s going to play for us,” Daniels said.

Just not on Opening Day.

This story was originally published December 11, 2014 at 12:20 PM with the headline "Jurickson Profar to start season in minors."