Good news, Rangers fans:
Rangers Prince Fielder got clean bill of health from Dr. Drew Dossett.
— Anthony Andro (@aandro) February 9, 2015
Fielder, of course, played in only 42 games last year before needing neck surgery. Also worth noting that, just before the season began, he was a BSOHL All-Star.
Now, take 2 on the whole “Fielder is gonna love to hit in that cozy ballpark” thing.
Oh, and also:
A year ago the Rangers signed Shin-Soo Choo to to a seven-year $130 million contract. He then missed a chunk of the season due to an ankle injury. Also last year: Rangers’ pitcher Derek Holland missed most of the season following knee surgery. Recently, they had a foot race, because that seems like a good idea for a couple of guys coming off leg problems.
“We just did the 40, just running around, goofing off and I saw him and Chirinos. They always like to go at it with each other. They raced. Chirinos is pretty quick for a catcher, but he didn’t get Choo. Then I was joking around, I say, ‘Hey, let’s go. Let’s go. I want to race. Let’s do this.’ I got out there and I took off. We were side by side for a little bit and then I started pulling away. Choo goes, ‘Man, you’re really fast. I didn’t know you had that.’ I sad, ‘Hey, don’t let this leg fool you. I’m good now. I’m feeling great.’ ”
I’m going to consider this a back-door Best Shape of His Life thing, as this could be construed as subtle propaganda about the health of Choo and Holland. If Prince Fielder officiated the race it’d be a trifecta in that regard.
The Rangers have avoided arbitration with DH Mitch Moreland, agreeing on a one-year deal worth $2.95 million, per Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Moreland can earn an additional $25,000 in performance incentives, Wilson notes.
Moreland, 29, was eligible for arbitration for the second of three years. Moreland mustered a meager .644 OPS in 184 plate appearances. He took over at first base after Prince Fielder was injured, but suffered a season-ending injury of his own in early June. Moreland underwent surgery for os trigonum syndrome and ligament reconstruction towards the end of the month.
