Texas Rangers slugger Prince Fielder is facing the prospect of season-ending neck surgery after an MRI revealed a herniated disk just above an area that was repaired two years ago.
Fielder and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo were placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday by the slumping AL West leaders, who had lost 12 of 16 games going into their game at the Los Angeles Angels.
Choo got an injection to help relieve lower-back discomfort.
General manager Jon Daniels said Fielder on Monday reported having similar symptoms to those he felt before the 2014 surgery that limited him to 42 games his first season with the Rangers. Fielder was feeling weakness and discomfort in his neck and left arm.
Dr. Robert Watkins, who examined both players in Los Angeles on Wednesday after MRIs the previous day, recommended surgery for Fielder after seeing the herniation between the C4 and C5 disks.