Prince Fielder won’t travel to Detroit

May 6, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder (84) in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder will not accompany the team on its charter to Detroit today for their 4-game set against the Tigers.   Instead Fielder will stay in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to so he can visit Dr. Drew Dossett on Thursday.

If things go well with the visit to Dr. Dossett, Fielder could join the team in Detroit.  It could also mean that Fielder will be placed on the 15-day disabled list to allow him some additional rest.

Today’s game will be his 4th missed game of the season.  His missed game on Saturday was the first time he had missed a game since 9/14/2010, breaking a 547 game streak.  It was the longest active streak in the majors and was the 25th longest all time.  The last time Prince Fielder missed consecutive games was back on August 24 and 25, 2007.

Fielder is sidelined do a herniated disk in his neck.  He received an injection in his neck this past Saturday by Dr. Dossett, but it did not have the desired effect.  While his neck isn’t as sore, he does have weakness in his arm.  After batting practice yesterday he felt weakness in his arm, that is why he was removed from the lineup yesterday.

Ron Washington commented on him today.

"“We just decided not to do it and give him another day,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said before the announcement. “I’ve seen him and he’s not going to take any swings. But he feels normal. He felt normal yesterday until he swung the bat.”  (Richard Durrett  – ESPN Dallas)"

For the Texas Rangers, this is a big blow to a team that is already suffering offensively.   Over their last 9 games the Rangers are only averaging 2.55 runs game.  Fielder has been one of the few hot hitters lately.  Over his last 4 games his is batting .462 and over his last 12 games he is a batting .350.  That is a huge improvement over his numbers in April.   Hopefully Dr. Dossett will give the Rangers and Fielder some good news, but with the way things have gone this season, don’t expect it.