Profar gets crash course in playing outfield

ANAHEIM — Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar has started taking fly balls in the outfield as a way to increase his versatility. Profar, who has already had crash courses this year on playing first and third base, is willing to give it a try.

“I told you guys, for me, this year, yes,” Profar said. “Next year, I want to play shortstop somewhere.”

Profar may get that chance sooner than next year as the Rangers have been getting “tons of calls” from other teams interested in acquiring him. Profar is open to a trade.

“I have no problem with that if it’s going to make the team better,” Profar said. “That means I’m playing very good. That makes me happy.”

The Rangers aren’t eager to trade Profar unless they can get a young starting pitcher with an equally high upside. Right now manager Jeff Banister is more concerned about finding additional ways to use Profar. He was not in the starting lineup Tuesday even though his .318 batting average is the highest on the team.

“We are trying to expand his skill set,” Banister said. “This is something we talked about. Look, he has been here long enough and we have challenged him to do a number of things and he has answered all the challenges. We like the professional at-bats he gives us. Expanding his versatility helps him out and helps us out.

“Players force you to either play them or take them out. He continues to play well.”

The Rangers tried this before. Profar played four games in …

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