Prince Fielder diagnosed with herniated disk in his neck

The Texas Rangers have been dealt some of the worst injury luck you can imagine in the opening months of 2014. During the same week that they learned that they might lose starting pitchers Martin Perez and Matt Harrison for extended periods of time, they now learn that newly acquired slugger Prince Fielder has been diagnosed with a herniated disk in his neck.

As T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports, the Rangers had Fielder undergo an injection in the hopes that it will keep him off the disabled list and get him back in the lineup next week:

"General manager Jon Daniels said a herniated disk in the neck is not as serious as one in the lower back. Fielder is not expected to need surgery if the injection addresses the problem, and he has not been put on the disabled list.Fielder indicated to the Rangers last month that he has been dealing with this issue for some time, possibly going back to last year with the Tigers. He was given oral anti-inflammatory medication, but that didn’t quite take care of the stiffness. The next step was the injection.”"

This injury may or may not explain the slow start for Fielder so far this season: .247/.360/.360/.720 with only three home runs and 16 RBI. Whatever the case may be, the Rangers’ frustration with injuries continues.

Whether Fielder’s massive salary makes this injury more frustrating or noteworthy is another issue; the Rangers have to try to find a way to win some games so that they are not buried in the tough AL West after a surprisingly strong start to the season.