ARLINGTON, Texas _ Prince Fielder is expected to undergo cervical fusion surgery later this week to fix a herniated disk in his neck, ending his season and putting into question if he can resume his baseball career.
Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said that Fielder hasn't made a final decision, but Fielder's agent, Scott Boras, suggested to Daniels that Fielder will have the surgery.
Fielder met Monday with Rangers spinal specialist Dr. Drew Dossett, who made the same diagnosis and recommendation last week as Los Angeles-based specialist Dr. Robert Watkins.
The procedure will be Fielder's second since 2014. Daniels wouldn't speculate about Fielder's future or how he factors into the Rangers' planning going forward, but there are questions.
"Spinal surgery is a very real deal," Daniels said. "He rehabbed once from it and came back. With each additions surgery in that area, it increases the risk involved and his ability to get back. But it's not for me to speculate about that today."
Fielder told the Rangers last week that he was experiencing the same symptoms he had in 2014 before having two disks fused by Dossett. Daniels said that the Rangers have no doubt that health was a factor in Fielder's offensive woes this season.
If he indeed has surgery, Fielder will finish with a .212 average, eight homers and 44 RBIs. The Rangers have multiple ways to fill in for Fielder, beginning with Jurickson Profar, Ryan Rua and Delino DeShields and including Joey Gallo, and aren't likely to seek help from outside the organization before the trade deadline.
"I felt like one of the strengths on the club was the offensive depth," Daniels said. "We can go to Joey at some point if there's an opening and there are at-bats. We've still primarily been focused on the pitching side."
Third baseman Adrian Beltre said that Fielder know has an explanation for the down season he was having after leading the Rangers in average, homers and RBIs last season as the American League Comeback Player of the Year.
"He was a great asset for us last year when he was healthy," Beltre said. "At least in his case he's knows something was wrong with him and he can get it right."
