Rangers release Prince Fielder

The Texas Rangers have officially released first baseman Prince Fielder opening a spot on the club's 40-man roster, the team confirmed Wednesday.

The former slugger announced his decision to step away from baseball in 2016 after he was diagnosed with multiple herniations in his neck. Fielder later underwent surgery to repair the issue.

Since then, the Rangers have been granted insurance money to cover a portion of Fielder's remaining $72-million salary ($24-million annually) - $6 million of which is being paid by the Detroit Tigers until 2020.

In cutting ties with Fielder and opting instead to open up a roster spot, it's believed the Rangers will no longer receive insurance to cover the remainder of his contract, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Once considered one of baseball's more feared hitters, the 33-year-old and six-time All-Star hit .283/.382/.506 across 12 seasons in the majors. Fielder was also incredibly durable from 2009-13 with the Milwaukee Brewers and Tigers, missing only one game during that span.