DALLAS -- When Jurickson Profar does return to the Texas Rangers he'll look a little different than the Profar Texas fans last saw in 2013 and it has nothing to do with the orange spiked-up hair he had on display Wednesday.
Profar is noticeably bigger in his upper body thanks to all the strengthening work he's done in rehab from a torn shoulder muscle that cost him the entire 2014 season.
Profar has been working out three times a week at TMI Sports Medicine in Arlington after he opted not to have surgery on his shoulder, which could have cost him another season with no guarantees that it would have fixed the issue.
He'll start throwing again next month but will be behind the rest of the club in spring training and won't be an option for the Opening Day roster. That doesn't mean that the former No. 1 prospect in baseball isn't going to try and change that thinking.
"We'll see where I'm at in January when I start throwing and doing all my stuff and when I'm ready to play," Profar said.
He's confident that the rest and rehab will work this time because he's pain free and stronger in his shoulder now. That wasn't the case last year as he tried twice to get back in games before being shut down.
Profar said he never planned to have surgery on his shoulder even when that was presented as an option by both Dr. James Andrews and Los Angeles Dodgers team doctor Neal ElAttrache.He met with the Texas medical staff and they came up with a rehab program to try and stabilize the shoulder.
When Profar does return, he won't be the starting second baseman, which was the plan heading to spring training last year. He's not concerned about that though.
"I'm confident in myself and when I'm ready I'm going," he said.
