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Moreland aims to step up in Prince’s absence
- Updated: July 21, 2016
Mitch Moreland has always been grateful that Prince Fielder was willing to become the Rangers’ designated hitter a year ago, allowing him to remain at first base.
That’s one reason why they have become close friends and why it hit Moreland hard when he heard Fielder might miss the rest of the season with another herniated disk in his neck.
• Fielder has herniated disk in neck; Choo to DL
“The first thing that crossed my mind is what he is feeling and what he went through to get back,” Moreland said. “He had such a good season last year, so for it to happen again, I can’t imagine.”
Fielder missed the last four months of the 2014 season after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck. He returned last year, winning the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award after hitting .305 with 23 home runs and 98 RBIs.
“It’s just one of those bad situations,” Moreland said. “For him and for us, it’s a big loss, not only on the field, but off. The presence he brings, the fun he brings, he always has a big smile on his face, it’s something we’ll miss.
“Somebody else will have to step up.”
That someone might need to be Moreland.
“That’s something I’d like to do from Day 1,” Moreland said. “But I’m not putting any added pressure into the …
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