Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder has scheduled season ending neck surgery for Tuesday, but this is pending a second opinion. Fielder has been bothered by a herniated disc in his neck, and has missed a number of games this season as a result, ending a personal iron-man streak. (SIA Profile) Injections to relieve the pain that he has been experiencing have not been successful in dealing with the problem.
The news, that it has been recommended that Prince Fielder undergo spinal fusion surgery, was first reported by Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
Recommendation is for Prince Fielder to have surgery, a fusion.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) May 22, 2014
Surgery is set for Tuesday. Prince Fielder wants to get it done, #Rangers GM Jon Daniels says.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) May 22, 2014
#Rangers will get a second opinion. Prince Fielder would miss the rest of the season.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) May 22, 2014
Prince Fielder was acquired in the Rangers biggest move of the off-season, as they traded second baseman Ian Kinsler to the Detroit Tigers to acquire the slugger. Now it would seem that his season is done.
“I think he’s disappointed that he can’t be here not only for this series but for his team,” manager Ron Washington said before Thursday’s game against the Tigers, Fielder’s former team. “It’s a situation where there wasn’t anything he could do about it. If he could, he would be here.”
Fielder was hitting .247/.360/.360 (100 OPS+) with three home runs in 42 games this season. He was experiencing weakness in his arm due to the pinched nerve in his neck, and that could be the biggest reason for the slowest start of his career.
The Rangers got further bad news on current second baseman, Jurickson Profar (SIA Profile), as he has re-injured his shoulder and will be out a further 8-12 weeks.
For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
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Feature photo courtesy of Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
