Infielder Jurickson Profar has told the Rangers that he is not going to play in the World Baseball Classic. Third baseman Adrian Beltre is also pulling out of the first round because of a slightly strained right calf muscle.

Profar, a native of Curacao, is on the provisional roster for the Netherlands but has decided to stay in camp because he wants to make the Opening Day roster as a utility player.

"It's a pretty unique situation and a tough decision," general manager Jon Daniels said Monday morning. "We left the decision up to him. He understands the landscape and the situation. He communicated to us he wants to put himself in the best position to make the club. This is something he wrestled with.

"We're going to let it play out over the course of the spring. We didn't want to pressure him. He made the call on his own."

The Rangers have a set infield of Beltre at third, Elvis Andrus at short, Ian Kinsler at second and Mitch Moreland at first. Profar's best chance to make the team is as a utility player, but the Rangers want to make sure it is in a meaningful role. They don't want their top Minor League prospect sitting on the bench.