Texas Rangers Place Ian Kinsler on the DL, Recall Jurickson Profar

A trip to the disabled list will pull Ian Kinsler out of the Rangers lineup but will allow the team to callup Jurickson Profar. (Image Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)

Ian Kinsler continued to experience discomfort while trying to swing a bat prior to Sunday’s game, prompting the Texas Rangers to place their second baseman on the disabled list. Top prospect Jurickson Profar has been recalled from Triple-A, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

Kinsler had been out of the lineup for the Rangers the past two days as he copes with what has been described as a strained intercostal muscle in his right side. Initially it was believed that he wouldn’t miss much time, but when things failed to improve after a couple of days off it became evident that the team would need to make a roster move. Kinsler had been hitting .302/.369/.500 in 180 PA on the year. It’s unclear exactly how much time he’s expected to miss.

Considered the consensus top prospect in all of baseball entering the season, Profar’s arrival in Texas has been long awaited. Much of the delay has stemmed simply from the the lack of a spot in the lineup to play him regularly. Profar has been hitting .278/.370/.438 through 166 PA on the year at Triple-A, his first experience at the level. He’d received a brief callup by the Rangers last September, receiving 17 PA in September in which he collected three hits (a home run and two doubles). He’ll presumably receive most of the playing time at second base in Kinsler’s absence. What the Rangers elect to do with him once Kinsler returns remains to be seen.