Texas Rangers avoid arbitration with infielder Jurickson Profar

Jurickson Profar hasn’t played for the Texas Rangers since a pinch-hit appearance on Sept. 27, 2013, yet the infielder was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this off-season.

He and the Rangers avoided that process, though, on Thursday by agreeing to a $605,000 deal for 2016. Profar, who has missed the past two seasons because of shoulder injuries, is expected to open the season in the minor leagues in an effort to catch up on missed at-bats.

Profar was arbitration-eligible as a Super Two player, status that falls to those in the top 22 percent with at least two years of experience. He is eligible for arbitration three more seasons, assuming he doesn’t sign a multiyear contract.

The Rangers expect that Profar will be healthy for spring training after surgery on his shoulder Feb. 23, 2015, following a third setback with the teres major muscle. The operation also repaired a torn labrum, an existing injury that was causing structural instability.

Profar is the second Rangers player to avoid arbitration. Right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen agreed Wednesday to a $3.1 million deal. The Rangers are facing arbitration with five more players — catcher Robinson Chirinos, first baseman Mitch Moreland and relievers Jake Diekman, Tanner Scheppers and Shawn Tolleson.

Those players and the Rangers will exchange salary figures Friday.

Help for Garland

The Rangers and Academy Sports and Outdoors will hold a sports equipment drive Jan. 24 during a Rangers Winter Caravan stop in Garland to help those in the area affected by the Dec. 26 tornadoes.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 1:14 PM with the headline "Texas Rangers avoid arbitration with infielder Jurickson Profar."