Beltre's Opening Day status in limbo, says DL stint 'a last resort'

When the Texas Rangers host the defending American League champions, the Cleveland Indians, to begin their 2017 campaign on April 3, there's a chance they'll do so without third baseman Adrian Beltre.

The 37-year-old veteran has been sidelined with tightness in his right calf since coming out of Sunday's contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After undergoing an MRI on Monday, Beltre learned he hadn't suffered any kind of major injury, but he's obviously still not at 100 percent, which means his Opening Day status is in jeopardy.

"Obviously you don't want to go into the season hurt," Beltre told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. "I don't mind the discomfort, but I don't want to blow it up. Hopefully it calms down, I can play a game or two before the season and then nurse it for 2-3 weeks until I'm 100 percent."

The Rangers anticipate the Dominican being ready for Monday's showdown against the Indians. They plan to play him in games Friday and Saturday against the Kansas City Royals if his body will allow. If things don't go as planned, he could begin the season on the 10-day disabled list, although Beltre isn't interested in that scenario.

"That's not an option right now," Beltre explained. "That's a last resort. My mindset is to start the season until I find out something different."

Beltre has been highly durable during his 19-year career, playing in more 2,700 games.

The four-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner had a stellar season for the Rangers in 2016, slashing .300/.358/.521 with 31 doubles, 32 home runs, and 104 RBIs.