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Fielder to have season-ending neck surgery for 2nd time

Jerome Miron / USA TODAY Sports

Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder is expected to miss the remainder of the season as he's set to have neck surgery to repair a herniated disk.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Fielder is expected to have the procedure later this week, the second time in the last three years he's having season-ending neck surgery.

Because it's the second time he's undergoing the treatment, the future of his playing days are unclear.

"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."

In 2014, Fielder missed 120 games due to cervical fusion of the C5-C6 discs in his neck. A year later, he was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year as he led the team in average, home runs, and RBIs.

"He was a great asset for us last year when he was healthy," teammate Adrian Beltre said. "At least in his case he’s knows something was wrong with him and he can get it right."

The slugger is in the midst of the worst season of his 12-year career, batting .212/.292/.334 in 89 games with eight home runs and 63 strikeouts.

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