When the Texas Rangers signed Adam Rosales to a one year, $750,000 contract this offseason they did so with no designs on him being their Opening Day second baseman.
That could now be the case after Sunday's news that Jurickson Profar would miss 10-12 weeks after an MRI revealed a small tear in a muscle in his right shoulder.
The Rangers traded Ian Kinsler to Detroit in part to free up playing time for Profar, who likely won't return until June. They also opted not to bring a veteran to spring training to push Profar for the starting job, and will have to go another route.
So how do the Rangers get by without Profar? Here's a look at some of their options.
Adam Rosales: The 30-year-old has 319 games of major-league experience over six seasons of a journeyman career. He's never hit for average, as his .190 mark between Oakland and Texas last year shows. But Rosales is versatile. He's started more than 50 games at second base, third base and shortstop in the majors. His versatility though could work against him though as he could be needed as a backup at other positions.
Josh Wilson: The other veteran still in big-league camp is even more of a journeyman than Rosales. He's looking to make a roster with his eighth club. He's like Rosales in that he's versatile, as he's started at second, shortstop and third base. Most of his time has come at shortstop and he could end up as the backup middle infielder if Rosales is the starter to begin the season. Also like Rosales, Wilson doesn't hit much. His career mark is .225 in 990 at-bats.
Brent Lillibridge: He's already been moved to minor-league camp, which would seem to put him behind the other two veterans. He's started at seven positions over his five-year career, including 41 at second base. He had a 13-homer season for the Chicago White Sox in 2011 but batted just .195 in 2012 and that number dipped to .119 in 2013 in just 59 at-bats.
Rougned Odor: If the Rangers want to go with the player with the most future upside, they go the prospect route with Odor. But he's just 20 and has played only 30 games at the Double A level. The Venezuelan was the organization's minor league player of the year last season when he hit a combined .305 with 11 home runs and 76 RBI between Myrtle Beach and Frisco. He impressed Rangers officials this spring, hitting .294 in 17 spring at-bats. He's also thought to be closer to major-league ready than his double-play partner in the minors Luis Sardinas.
