RANGERS
Fielder to have surgery
ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers slugger Prince Fielder is expected to have season-ending neck surgery for the second time in three years, and his career could be jeopardy as well.
Fielder got a second opinion Monday, and General Manager Jon Daniels said Dr. Drew Dossett recommended surgery. That was the same as Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles said last week after an MRI showed a herniation between Fielder’s C4 and C5 disks.
While Daniels didn’t want to speculate on the long-term future for Fielder, 32, the GM did acknowledge the seriousness of having a second surgery in close proximity to the first.
Dossett, a specialist in Texas who works with the Rangers, performed Fielder’s surgery in May 2014 when he had a cervical fusion of two disks just below the area that is bothering the slugger now.
Fielder has hit a career-low .212 with 8 home runs and 44 RBI in 89 games this season. He had recently been feeling weakness and discomfort in his neck and left arm.
WHITE SOX
Sale to start Thursday
CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale will start Thursday against the crosstown Chicago Cubs in his first appearance since he was suspended for five days for destroying collared throwback uniforms the team was scheduled to wear.
Manager Robin Ventura said he isn’t sure of Sale’s plans while he is away from the team, but he expects him to be ready for the outing at Wrigley Field.
The White Sox announced Sale’s punishment on Sunday after the left-hander was scratched from his scheduled start and sent home the previous night.
Sale, 27, is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA this year. There is a possibility he could be traded before the Aug. 1 non-waiver deadline, though it would take quite an offer to get the White Sox to move him.