Update #2 (3:04 PM EDT): Rosenthal clarifies that Fielder is not retiring. Rather, he’s being declared medically disabled and doctors won’t clear him to play.
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Update (2:26 PM EDT): Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News also hears from a source that Fielder’s career is indeed over.
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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears from sources that Rangers DH Prince Fielder’s career “appears to be over.” The Rangers are expected to hold a press conference on Wednesday. Rosenthal didn’t specifically use the word “retirement” but that’s what it sounds like.
Fielder, 32, recently underwent season-ending neck surgery, known as spinal fusion surgery. It’s his second such procedure, aimed to alleviate a herniated disk in his neck.
If this is it for Fielder, he had a heck of a career. Over parts of 12 seasons with the Brewers, Tigers, and Rangers, he hit .283/.382/.506 with 319 home runs, and 1,028 RBI in 6,853 plate appearances. He was named to the All-Star team six times, won three Silver Sluggers, and had two top-three NL MVP Award finishes. Fielder also won the 2009 and 2012 Home Run Derby. He was a heck of a lot of fun to watch.
Fielder is owed the remainder of his $24 million salary for this season and will earn $24 million annually through 2020. The Tigers are covering $6 million per year.
