Kinsler Returns To The Lineup, Profar Gets Day Off

Ian Kinsler returned to the Rangers lineup for their matinee matchup with the Kansas City Royals on Monday, a day after being held out with a minor back issue. The issue, namely a nagging case of stiffness, has subsided and Kinsler doesn’t see the back being a problem moving forward.

“It’s gone,” Kinsler said today, per ESPN Dallas. “It’s not there.”

Meanwhile, like a good deal of the rest of the American workforce, 19-year-old Jurickson Profar will get Labor Day off, following a rousing MLB debut on Sunday in which he hit a home run in his first Major League at bat and finished 2-for-4 with a double in addition to the homer.

The only other change in the lineup worth noting is the absence of first baseman Mitch Moreland, who has hit a bit of a snag in what has been, on the whole, an incredible second half. Moreland will get the day off with lefty Bruce Chen going for Kansas City, and rookie Mike Olt will take over first base duties and hit in the nine spot.