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Prince Fielder out for the season with surgery for herniated disc

Prince Fielder is scheduled to have season-ending surgery Tuesday for a herniated disc in his neck

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA

Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday for a herniated disc in his neck.  The surgery would likely be season-ending.

Fielder, of course, had the 25th longest consecutive games played streak in major league history before missing a game last week with the neck issue.  This will be his first time to be on the disabled list.  His durability and good health was a significant reason why the Rangers were willing to trade Ian Kinsler to acquire him this past offseason.

With Fielder now on the shelf, I would expect the Rangers to look long and hard at signing Kendrys Morales to a one year deal after June 5.  Signing Morales prior to that date would cost the signing team a draft pick.  Adding Morales would allow the Rangers to make Mitch Moreland the full-time first baseman, with Morales taking over at DH.