Profar snaps back from thumb scare

Jurickson Profar left Tuesday's game when he hyperextended his left thumb on a swing, preemptively ending a 10-game hitting streak.

He was back in the lineup Wednesday, proving that the thumb would not become a lingering issue and starting a new streak.

MLB.com's top overall prospect tied a season high with three hits and scored twice for Triple-A Round Rock as the Express held on for a 9-5 victory at Las Vegas.

One night earlier, the Rangers' No. 1 prospect was replaced during an at-bat in the sixth inning after tweaking the thumb. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Profar felt numbness that eventually subsided. And clearly, he was good to go by Wednesday.

Alex Buchholz replaced Profar on Tuesday and swung and missed at a third strike, although the strikeout was charged to Profar. That ended the hit streak that started April 26 and raised the 20-year-old shortstop's average by 20 points.

Profar had scuffled toward the end of April, enduring a 3-for-26 stretch that saw his average dip to a season-low .207.

Highlights of the season included his first Triple-A home run on April 16 as he fell a double shy of the cycle in his other three-hit game. He also smacked a late-inning grand slam on April 21.

Wednesday's three-hit showing brought his line back to .241/.344/.380. Profar has maintained solid patience at the plate, drawing 17 walks while striking out 20 times. He's also 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts.

Last season, while still a teenager, the Curacao native hit .281/.368/.452 for Double-A Frisco, vaulting him to the top of many offseason prospect lists. He also homered in his Major League debut and spent nine games with the Rangers in September.