The wait for the next major league game by Jurickson Profar, the Rangers’ gifted middle infielder, is going to drag on for a while.
Profar on Tuesday will mark day No. 648 since his last appearance in a regular-season game, on Sept. 27, 2013. By the end of this season, Profar will have gone two complete seasons without playing in a major or minor league game.
A right shoulder ailment that resulted in surgery this spring to repair a torn labrum has jeopardized the career of a once-shining prospect and hamstrung the Rangers. In the 2014-15 seasons, they have started eight second baseman and four shortstops, with subpar results.
Since opening day 2014, the positions have a combined WAR of minus-4.1, fourth-worst in the majors. St. Louis leads at 5.5. A healthy Profar likely would have made a difference for the better with the Rangers.
For the Rangers, the question moving forward on Profar is whether he will ever again be an effective major leaguer.
Profar has youth on his side. He will go to spring training next year at age 23. He could spend all of next season in the minors, not an unrealistic possibility, and be in the majors at a youthful 25 in 2017.
“We believe he should return without limitations,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “If there’s any area to watch, it would be his throwing. That may be the last piece to come. Offensively, I don’t expect there to be any difference.”
‘It’s a hard game’
On the flip side, there are few examples of players returning to the majors after going two-plus years without playing at any level.
“It’s a hard game,” said outfielder Grady Sizemore, on that short list. “It would be hard for anyone to take that amount of time off and come back. Add injuries on top, and it’s a challenge. It’s not going to come back in a short time.”
Hall of Famers Bob Feller, Phil Rizzuto and Ted Williams missed three complete seasons for military service during World War II. They had the advantage of not being injured.
Rangers teammate Josh Hamilton also missed three seasons (2003-05) while in the Tampa Bay minor league system. He was suspended for violation of Major League Baseball’s drug policy.
Pitcher Jose Rijo missed five full seasons (1996-2000) because of an elbow injury. He returned, after having received one vote in the 2001 Hall of Fame balloting, to make 44 appearances with Cincinnati in 2001-02.
Sizemore is similar to Profar in that he broke into the majors as a dazzling young talent.
Sizemore did not play at any level in 2012-13 because of because of multiple injuries, including damage to both knees, caused by his all-out playing style. Sizemore returned to the majors with Boston in 2014 at age 31 but was ineffective. The Red Sox and Philadelphia have released Sizemore, and he is with Tampa Bay.
“When you take that much time off, it take a long time — much longer than people think — to get your feet back on the ground,” Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro said.
Madson offers hope
The case of Kansas City reliever Ryan Madson, 34, offers the most hope for Profar and the Rangers.
Madson is a key member of the Royals’ stout bullpen. He began Monday’s play with nine holds and a 1.65 ERA with 18 hits allowed and 31 strikeouts in 322/3 innings. He features a consistent 95-mph fastball.
From 2012-14, Madson pitched one inning in a minor league game. In that span, Cincinnati and the LA Angels released Madson, believing he would not make it back from Tommy John surgery. He was out of the game in 2014.
The mental aspect can be as difficult as the physical aspect of the recovery, Madson said.
“If the physical doesn’t come around on a timetable, the mental part starts playing games with you,” Madson said. “Something gets taken away from us that has always been there. That can wear on you mentally.”
Madson credited his personal faith, input from the EVO Ultrafit training-center staff in Phoenix and “good old-fashioned hard work” for getting him back this season. There were times when Madson doubted this would happen.
“I felt isolated,” Madson said. “It’s mentally and physically tough. Your willpower, the right people, the right mental approach, it takes all of that.
Daily rehab sessions
Profar, who was not available for comment, is going through daily rehabilitation sessions at the Arlington clinic of team physician Dr. Keith Meister. He undergoes an MRI test about every four weeks and advances if the result is good. Daniels said the club is looking for ways to keep Profar engaged and avoid discouragement about his situation.
“Ultimately, it is extremely tough on these guys when they’re away,” Daniels said. “You try to keep them grounded as much as possible, but the waiting is a challenge.”
When Profar returns, he will need extended playing time in the minors to scrape off the rust. No one dares guess when Profar will appear in the majors again, but it will not be any time soon. Nothing is guaranteed, even for the best of prospects.
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